Gradual increase in the number of Asphondylia aucubae (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) due to inversely density‐dependent mortality processes

The population dynamics of the aucuba fruit midge, Asphondylia aucubae (Japanese name: Aokimitamabae), were studied for 3 yr mainly at a broad‐leaved evergreen forest on Mt. Shiroyama in Kagoshima City. This species is univoltine and adults emerge in May. Eggs were laid randomly inside the immature fruit of the host plant, Aucuba japonica (Japanese name: Aoki). Healthy fruit fell by the following March, whereas galled fruit remained on the trees even after the emergence of adult midges. The survival rate from the egg to adult stage was estimated to be 24.2%, and the number of midges on five census trees increased gradually during the census period. Two important mortality factors were recognized, i.e., fall of incompletely galled fruit and damage of the galled fruit by feeding of caterpillars of a moth. Some unknown factors were also found to be important, operating in an inversely density‐dependent manner. The gradual increase of A. aucubae is considered to be caused by such inversely density‐dependent mortality processes.