Amphibolips nubilipennis explained

Amphibolips nubilipennis, known generally as the translucent oak gall wasp, is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Its range includes Ontario, Quebec, and much of the eastern United States.[1] [2] Hosts include Quercus buckleyi, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus imbricaria, Quercus marilandica, Quercus rubra, and Quercus velutina.[3]

The translucent oak gall is induced by the sexual generation of Amphibolips nubilipennis. This gall is succulent and accumulates high concentration of malic acid causing a low pH of gall tissues. The extreme acidity of the translucent oak gall tissues has been proposed to represent a defensive strategy against parasitoid wasps.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Species Amphibolips nubilipennis – Translucent Oak Gall Wasp . 2023-03-01 . bugguide.net.
  2. Web site: translucent oak gall wasp Amphibolips nubilipennis Harris, 1841 . 2023-03-01 . www.invasive.org.
  3. Web site: Amphibolips nubilipennis (sexgen) . 2023-03-01 . www.gallformers.org.
  4. Guiguet . Antoine . McCartney . Nathaniel B. . Gilbert . Kadeem J. . Tooker . John F. . Deans . Andrew R. . Ali . Jared G. . Hines . Heather M. . 1 March 2023 . Extreme acidity in a cynipid gall: a potential new defensive strategy against natural enemies . Biology Letters . 19 . 3 . 20220513 . 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0513 . 1744-957X . 36855854. 9975648 . 257233541 .