Urophora cuspidata

A well marked member of the 'fruit fly' family Tephritidae. Many of the members of this genus are confusingly similar and need microscopic examination to determine species. For this reason our image is placed in a red box and is likely to be this species, but should only be taken as representative of the species.

The fly galls Knapweed flowers, most usually Centaurea scabiosa

Urophora jaceana and U quadrifasciata also gall Knapweed

Adult   Gall

Favouring flowers of the Knapweed family, and most likely to be found where these are present.

Late spring and summer.

Larva lives within a gall on the Knapweed plant.

Mainly recorded from southern Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland is not known.