The larva of the species on jojoba occurs in the fruit and is found at several locales (Table I). One to 3 larvae may infest a single fruit. Infested fruit are small, usually 7mm or less in length, never develop fully, but eventually dry and drop. The presence of the feeding larva is indicated by a slight swelling of the adjacent fruit wall. Pupation takes place in the fruit. The adult eventually escapes from the pupal skin leaving it attached (Fig.I). Infested fruit are most abundant in winter and early spring, before the general blooming period for jojoba at Radec. At this time most of the fruit found are those harboring Asphondylia, suggesting that midge oviposition or larval feeding causes premature and abnormal development.

The gall midge lays eggs in the ovaries of flowers. The galls that result from larval feeding prevent the normal development of the ovaries or seeds ...

[on Parkinsonia aculeata, which is an invasive weed in Australia] Inside the flower the fully developed stamens and pistil remain encapsulated and appear healthy but in a state of suspended animation during the life of the larva, which grows in a cavity lined with a fungus on which the larva apparently feeds. Pupation occurs in the cavity. The flower or pod dies after the pupa cuts its way to the exterior and the adult escapes. Usually one larva develops in a flower, but occasionally there are two or three larvae, each in a separate cavity. Only one larva develops in a pod gall.

Closed, hard, swollen buds and sterile, deformed pods...Asphondylia websteri Felt
This native American species has crossed over to guar, an introduced plant from India...
Hosts: C. tetragonoloba; also Medicago, Parkinsonia, and Simmondsia
...

Deformed, aborted fruit

Host: Simmondsia chinensis
Distr: California, Arizona and Baja California