The Institute for Agri-food and Fisheries Research and Training of the Balearic Islands (IRFAP), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, has unveiled the book containing the first full study conducted in Mallorca on the carob and caper gall midge (Asphondylia gennadii). The work, authored by researcher Joan Rallo i Garcia, recipient of the 2025 Ramon Llull Award for Scientific Achievement, has been published with the support of IRFAP.

During the presentation, Minister Joan Simonet emphasised the value of Rallo’s long scientific career, describing it as “remarkable and exemplary in a primary sector that urgently needs more research and innovation.”

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The first comprehensive study on the carob and caper gall midge in Mallorca is presented

The study documents for the first time the presence of this midge in Mallorca, detailing its biology, life cycle, the damage it causes and the host plants it relies on. It also analyses its interaction with other species, such as the caper fly (Capparimyia savastani), and identifies the symbiotic fungus associated with it, as well as several parasitoids that could play a key role in its biological control.

Rallo explained that the research began unexpectedly after planting hermaphroditic carob seeds on his property and noticing damage to the leaves. Laboratory tests later confirmed the presence of the insect and three parasitoid species, prompting the start of the investigation.

The findings highlight that Asphondylia gennadii is an emerging pest in the Balearic Islands and that further research is essential to understand its distribution, life cycle and management options, especially in the context of climate change and the presence of invasive species that may disrupt the ecological balance of carob and caper plants.