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This insect has caused substantial yield loss on rabbiteye and south highbush blueberries in the Southeastern United States. In New Jersey, gall midge infests vegetative buds, whereas in Florida it can also attack floral buds. Adults are very small (approximately 2–3 mm long). Females lay eggs in leaf buds. Eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) within few days. Larvae are very small (about 1 mm long), which makes detection in the field very difficult before noticeable signs of damage. Larvae develop inside the buds causing debilitating symptoms. Infested tips will have dried leaf tissue that turns dark brown to black. Very small larvae may be seen when pulling apart an infested tip. This insect may have up to 5 generations per year.
