Campiglossa absinthii is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, subfamily Tephritinae. It is known primarily from the Palearctic region, where its larvae develop in the flower heads of certain Asteraceae plants, especially Artemisia absinthium (worm‑wormwood).
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Family: Tephritidae
- Subfamily: Tephritinae
- Genus: Campiglossa
- Species: Campiglossa absinthii
- Authority: (Fabricius, 1794)
Synonyms (selected):
- Tephritis absinthii Fabricius, 1794
The species is listed in the systematic database compiled by Norrbom et al. (1999) and in subsequent regional checklists of European Tephritidae (e.g., White & Elson‑Harris 1992).
Description
Adult C. absinthii are small tephritid flies, typically 4–5 mm in body length. The body is generally gray‑brown with darker markings. The wings are transparent with characteristic dark brown to black banding and spot patterns that aid in species identification. Morphological characters such as the shape of the aculeus (ovipositor tip) and the pattern of setae on the thorax are used by taxonomists to distinguish it from closely related Campiglossa species.
Distribution and Habitat
Campiglossa absinthii has a primarily European distribution, recorded from the British Isles, Western and Central Europe (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Balkans) and extending eastward into parts of the Mediterranean basin and western Asia. It inhabits open, sunny habitats where host plants of the Asteraceae family occur, such as grasslands, heathlands, and disturbed sites.
Biology and Ecology
- Host plants: The larvae are phytophagous, developing inside the capitula (flower heads) of Artemisia species, most notably Artemisia absinthium. Occasional records exist for other Asteraceae, but the association with A. absinthium is the most consistently documented.
- Life cycle: Adults emerge in late spring to early summer, mate, and females oviposit into mature flower heads. Larval development occurs within the capitulum, where the larvae feed on the developing seeds and floral tissues. Pupation takes place in the soil or within the plant debris, and a new generation of adults emerges the following year.
- Behavior: Adults are often observed perching on vegetation and may be attracted to sunlit patches. They are not considered agricultural pests, as their host plants are generally wild or ornamental.
References
- Norrbom, A. L., Carroll, L. E., Thompson, F. C., White, I. M., & Freidberg, A. (1999). Systematic Database of Names. In F. C. Thompson (Ed.), Fruit Fly Expert Identification System and Systematic Information Database (Myia, vol. 9, pp. 65–251).
- White, I. M., & Elson‑Harris, M. (1992). Fruit Flies of Economic Significance: Their Identification and Bionomics. CABI Publishing.
- Foote, R. H., & Steyskal, G. C. (1986). Handbook of the Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of America North of Mexico. Entomological Society of Washington.
This entry reflects the current consensus in entomological literature as of June 2026.