Philonix Explained

Philonix is a genus of oak gall wasps in the family Cynipidae.^{[1] [2]} Species in this genus are only known from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The larvae of Philonix wasps induce galls on white oaks that are typically spherical, soft and fleshy. Galls are usually formed on the underside of leaves. Adult wasps are similar in appearance to species in the genus Acraspis. Many gall wasps have alternate sexual and asexual generations, but this has not been documented in Philonix.

The genus was first named and described by Asa Fitch in 1859.^[3]

The following species are recognised in the genus Philonix:^[4]

• P. fulvicollis Fitch, 1859
• P. gigas Weld, 1922
• P. insulensis (Kinsey, 1936)
• P. lanaeglobuli (Ashmead, 1887)
• P. latigenae (Kinsey, 1936)

Notes and References

1. Poole, R.W. & P. Gentili, 1996. Hymenoptera, Mecoptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera, Raphidioptera, Trichoptera. Nomina Insecta Nearctica: A Check List of the Insects of North America. Vol 2.
2. Melika, G. & Abrahamson, W.G. (2002) Review of the World Genera of Oak Cynipid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini). In: Melika, G. & Thuróczy, C. (Eds.), Parasitic Wasps: Evolution, Systematics, Biodiversity and Biological Control. International Symposium: “Parasitic Hymenoptera: Taxonomy and Biological Control” (14–17 May 2001, Kõszeg, Hungary). Agroinform, Budapest, pp. 150–190.
3. Fitch. Asa. 1859. Fifth report on the noxious and other insects of the state of New York. Insects infesting deciduous forest trees.. Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society. 18. 781–854.
4. Web site: Philonix. 2022-02-05. gallformers.org.