Cypress Twig Gall Midge

By Gail Ruhl, Senior Plant Disease Diagnostician, Department of Botany & Plant Pathology, Purdue University

Have you ever seen pineapple-shaped growths on Bald cypress.  They are initially whitish-green in color, about 3/4” long and 1/2” wide and  are formed on the branch tip. At first glance they look somewhat similar to the fruit of the tree, however, upon closer inspection and following a quick ‘Google’ search of “galls on bald cypress” you will find that these are galls caused by the Cypress Twig Gall Midge (Taxodiomyia cupressiananassa).  While unsightly, especially as the adults emerge from the galls and the branch twigs die, the galls pose no threat to tree health.

Cypress Twig Gall Midge - University of Florida

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