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

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]

References
  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. "Species Andricus quercusstrobilanus". Bugguide. Iowa State University.
  5. Boggs, Joe; Chatfield, Jim. "Plant Galls: Myths and Misconceptions" (PDF). Ohio State University.
  6. Gillette, C. P. (1888). "Notes on Certain Cynipidae With Descriptions of New Species". Psyche: A Journal of Entomology. Cambridge Entomological Club. 5: 186.
  7. Beutenmüller, William (August 2008). "Catalogue of Gall Insects". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. American Museum of Natural History. 4: 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. American Entomological Society. 1: 241–259.
  9. "Gouty, horned and other twig galls". Missouri Botanical Garden.
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