A new species of gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on vegetative buds of Melaleuca quinquenervia trees in Australia

A new species of gall midge, Contarinia melaleucae Kolesik sp. nov., is described that feeds on Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) in Northern Australia. Pale yellow larvae live gregariously within vegetative buds, causing growth retardation or death of the buds. The new species has potential for biological control of M. quinquenervia in southern Florida, USA.