Remarks on the morphology and biology of Cleigastra apicalis (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera, Scathophagidae)

The egg, second‐ and third‐instar larvae and puparium of Cleigastra apicalis are described for the first time. All pre‐imaginal stages are found on stems of the common reed affected by flies of the genera Lipara and Platycephala and the butterfly Arenostola phragmitidis. The larvae feed on dead plant and animal tissue and the excreta of other insects that live inside the stems of the common reed. Exceptionally they will scrape living plant tissue. The pupa is the overwintering stage.