Honeylocust pod gall midge
Dasineura gleditchiae
3 host plants
Last updated
Honeylocust pod gall midge larvae develop inside seed pods, causing them to swell into irregular, knobbly galls in mid to late summer on honeylocust trees. The small midges are invisible to the naked eye, but their plant damage is distinctive and noticeable. Affected pods become deformed and non-functional; they may drop prematurely. Gall formation typically peaks in July and August.
Collect and destroy galled pods before midges emerge, typically by mid-August. This removes future generations before they escape. For valuable specimen trees, monitor for gall formation starting in June and remove affected pods. No effective chemical controls target larvae inside galls. Maintain tree vigor and adequate moisture. Cultural management through removal is the main control approach.
Quick Reference
Cultural Controls
- Pick and destroy infested leaves, when practical, to help improve appearance.
- Prune out dead twigs and branches.
- Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is not attacked.
- The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) variety 'Shademaster' is reported to be less susceptible, but 'Sunburst' is very susceptible.