Andricus quercusstrobilanus

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]

Andricus quercusstrobilanus
pine cone oak galls
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Cynipidae
Genus: Andricus
Species:
A. quercusstrobilanus
Binomial name
Andricus quercusstrobilanus
(Osten-Sacken, 1862)
Synonyms
  • Adleria quercusstrobilana
  • Adleria strobilana
  • Cynips strobilana

Description

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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

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

References

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