Kiefferia pericarpiicola

The larva of the midge Kiefferia pericarpiicola causes a striking gall to form primarily in the flowerheads of the host plant, which is usually Wild Carrot. The galls occur in clusters. Each gall starts off greenish-yellow and eventually turns bright purplish-red to brown; it is up to 5mm in diameter and contains a single orange larva of the midge. 

Gall  Adult

Galls occur on the developing fruits or within the stalks of individual flower of Wild Carrot, Wild Parsnip, Burnet Saxifrage or other umbellifer.

Galls may be found from late summer to autumn.

Larvae leave the gall and pupate in the soil.

Primarily coastal and mainly found in the more southerly areas of England.

Uncommon or under recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.