Hairy Beech Gall - Hartigiola annulipes

Hartigiola annulipes is a midge that causes galls to form on the leaves of beech. Young galls develop early in the season as a small circular pustule or flattened dome which is visible on both leaf surfaces. Mature gall is cylindrical, hairy or smooth and up to 6 mm high when mature in late August or September. The gall is pale green and any hairs either pale or reddish brown. The larva is white.  When the gall falls in autumn, a circular hole is left. 

On Copper beeches, the gall is purplish.

Gall Adult

On beech leaves.

August and September for mature galls.

The gall falls to the ground in Autumn, leaving circular hole in the leaf. Pupation takes place in the fallen gall and the adult midge emerges the following Spring ready to lay eggs on the new growth of leaves.

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.

Frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland