Cecidomyidae

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Cecidomyidae (gall midges, gall gnat; order Diptera, suborder Nematocera) Large family of flies, all of which are minute and delicate, with long, monofiliform antennae with obvious whorls of hair. Ocelli may be present or absent. The wings have few longitudinal veins, most of which are unbranched. The antennae and simple wings are good points of recognition. There are three types of larval habit: parasitism; saprophagy; and phytophagy. Some cecidomyids form galls on plants which they attack. Some show pupal paedogenesis. Many are considered to be serious pests, as their larvae are often phytophagous. More than 4000 species have been described.