Andricus quercusstrobilanus explained

Andricus quercusstrobilanus, the lobed oak gall wasp, is a species[1] of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae,[2] found in North America.[3] The quercus in its specific name is the genus name for oak, while "strobilus" is derived from the Greek strobilo which means "cone", a reference to the cone shape of the gall;[4] thus the gall is sometimes called pine cone oak gall.[5]

Description

Larvae induce a cluster of wedge-shaped galls on white oaks, including bur oak, swamp white oak, and overcup oak.[4] The galls are irregular, cone-shaped bodies[6] that are closely packed together, with their pointed bases attached to a common centre.[7] These wedges are hard and corky and break off very easily when the gall is dry. Each of them contains a hollow kernel with a plump, large larva inside.[8] The galls undergo color change from pink or red to yellow and finally to brown.[9]

Adults of the species have not been described.

Ecology

Guest wasps found in the galls include inquilines such as Synergus lignicola (Cynipidae) and parasitoids such as Eurytoma sp. (Eurytomidae).[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andricus quercusstrobilanus (Lobed Oak Gall Wasp) . iNaturalist . California Academy of Sciences.
  2. Web site: Andricus quercusstrobilanus. Gallformers.
  3. Web site: Adleria quercusstrobilana (Osten Sacken, 1862). Discover Life.
  4. Web site: Species Andricus quercusstrobilanus. Iowa State University. Bugguide.
  5. Web site: Plant Galls: Myths and Misconceptions. Boggs. Joe. Chatfield. Jim. Ohio State University.
  6. Gillette. C. P.. 1888. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology. Notes on Certain Cynipidae With Descriptions of New Species. 186. 5. Cambridge Entomological Club.
  7. Catalogue of Gall Insects. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. Beutenmüller. William. 258. 4. American Museum of Natural History. August 2008. 9780520256941.
  8. Additions and corrections to the paper entitled "On the Cynipidae of the North American Oaks and their Galls". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia. Osten Sacken. Baron R. 241–259. 1. American Entomological Society. 1861–1863.
  9. Web site: Gouty, horned and other twig galls. Missouri Botanical Garden.

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