6 NEW SPECIES OF GALL MIDGES (DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE) FROM MELALEUCA (MYRTACEAE) IN AUSTRALIA

A new genus, Lophodiplosis Gagne, is described for five new species of gall midges from Australia associated with Melaleuca spp. At least tw o of these are candidates for biological control of the introduced pes t, Melaleuca quinquenervia, or paperbark, in Florida. In addition, a n ew species of Lasioptera is described. The new species are: Lophodiplo sis indentata and Lophodiplosis denticulata that form blister galls on leaves of Melalenca spp.; Lophodiplosis bidentata, responsible for ro sette bud galls on Melaleuca spp.; Lophodiplosis cornuata, forming tru mpet-shaped leaf galls on Melaleuca viridiflora; Lophodiplosis trifida , an inquiline in galls of L. indentata, L. denticulata, and L. bident ara; and Lasioptera uncinata, an inquiline in galls of L. indentata an d L. cornuata. Keys are given to adults of Australian genera of the su pertribe Cecidomyiidi and to adults and pupae of the six species found on Melaleuca spp. during this study.