1ST RECORD OF THE DANDELION LEAF-GALL MIDGE, CYSTIPHORA-TARAXACI (KIEFFER, 1888) (DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE), IN NORTH-AMERICA

The discovery of the European dandelion leaf-gall midge, Cystiphora ta raxaci (Kieffer, 1888) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), in north-central Sask atchewan, Canada, on dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Weber (Asteraceae ), is reported. This is the first record of this insect in North Ameri ca. Cystiphora taraxaci is similar to Cystiphora canadensis Felt which produces galls on rattlesnake-root, Prenanthes spp., and is known onl y from females. Separation of the two species was achieved by demonstr ating that C. taraxaci produced galls on dandelion but not on Prenanth es spp. The identity of C. taraxaci was confirmed by comparison of spe cimens collected in Saskatchewan with those in Europe. In Saskatchewan , C. taraxaci occurs over at least 12 000 km2 and is parasitized by Ap rostocetus sp. near atticus Graham and Crysonotomyia spp. (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae).