Pachypsylla sp. (laevigata nipple gallmaker)

Gall: As seen above a circular depression, usually widening internally, bottom of depression flattened with a very short central projection; below the longer galls appear as short cylinders arising from a constricted, shorter ones appear button-like; distal end depressed from an outer rim in center of which there may be a small elevation. Color tan at maturity, glabrous, shiny. Size variable, width 3 to 4 mm, length 2 to 4 mm. As previously stated this is thought to be the gall Riley (1890) described as P. celtidiscucurbita variety?

Hosts and distribution: During this study the galls of this species were found in abundance at only one site, Palmetto State Park, near Luling. Scattered galls were noted at numerous other sites in Central Texas including around Austin, and a few specimens were found at a site 15 miles west of Oklahoma City. With the exception of some at Palmetto State Park (Table II) all of these were on trees considered to be C. laevigata. In the case of this exception the morphology of the galls was essentially the same on both hosts.

Some galls rather similar to those occurring on C. laevigata were collected by Dr. John Moser in Maryland from trees thought to be C. tenuifolla. They differ most markedly (Plate XXX) from the c. laevigata form in being more oval as seen from the side and fit rather well Riley's description of P. celtidiscucurbita.

The C. laevigata and the C. reticulata nipple galls have not yet been found together in a single locality. Galls of the C. laevigata species were found near Oklahoma City and further collections may demonstrate that the range of this gallmaker overlaps those of the other nipple galls In this region.

Pachypsylla celtidiscucurbita [not listed in the key in which Yang provides gall descriptions, included in Table 1-2 listing described species without endorsing their validity or updating info]

Host: Celtis tenuifolia

Gall: Glabrous nipple gall

Range: Northeastern US, eg MD, VA, MO, MS

P. sp. Riemann 1961 (probably=P celtidiscurcurbita var ? Riley 1890)

Celtis laevigata

Gall: Glabrous nipple gall

Southern US, eg MO, TX

Conclusions about the status of several additional described nipple gall makers, including P. celtidispubescens, P. rohweri, P. celtidisglobulus, P. celtidiscucurbita and P. celtidiscucurbita var."?", can not be made, since they were not included in this study.

Pachypsylla cucurbitae (Fig 4)

on under side of leaf, concave in the middle, with a small nipple

Pachypsylla celtidiscucurbita n. sp.

This gall, on the upper side of the leaf, forms a cup shaped impression, deeper than in P. c.-mamma., but less deep and with the walls less vertical than in P. c.-globulus ; the cavity is also not widened internally. The outer rim is not sharply limited and not elevated except in one specimen, where it is thickened and bulging as in P. c.-pubescens. The walls and the bottom of the cup are not distinctly sculptured and of a greenish-yellow color (in dried specimens), the rim being reddish yellow and rugose. Average diameter, 1.75 mm.

On the under side of the leaf it arises from a rather slender, but not stylate, base and widens gradually to the middle, thence gradually narrowing toward apex. When viewed from the side the outline of the gall is therefore oval, but the top is always truncate. The sides near the top are furnished with short ribs, which are separated from each other by wide shallow depressions; the apex is formed by an acute rim, which surrounds a cup-shaped depression varying in size and depth according to specimens. Surface neither pubescent nor shining, but finely and indistinctly strigose. Color (dried specimen) rather bright yellow, brownish near center. Average height of gall, 4 mm; diameter, 3.3 mm. Cell as in P. c.mamma, the bottom wall at center much less thick than at sides.

Pachypsylla celtidis-cucurbita var. ?

Gall as seen on the upper side of leaf either as in P. c.-cucurbita, or more often as in P. c.-globulus, i. e., the impression is vertical and widening internally, but the upper rim is either barely or not at all elevated. On the under side of the leaf it is always sessile, not oval in outline, but depressed and button- shaped ; the disk being greatly flattened and with a shallow depression having a small central nipple and surrounded by two concentrical rims, the inner one often obsolete, the outer one rarely so. The sides of the gall have either faint longitudinal furrows or are irregularly rugose. Size very variable ; average height, 1.75 mm; width, 3 mm.

Whether or not this form is specifically distinct from the typical P. c.-cucurbita can not yet be decided. Of the latter I have not many specimens, all from Missouri; while of the variety I have numerous specimens from Missouri and Texas. No specimens strictly intermediate have yet been found.

Pachypsylla cucurbita

Globose, not pubescent, sessile leaf gall, wider than high, much flattened on the top and usually with two concentric, elevated rims and a central nipple.

Pachypsylla celtidiscucurbita Riley, 1890

Pachypsylla c.-cucurbita Riley, 1883 [nomen nudum]. Can. Entomol. 15:158.
Pachypsylla celtidis-cucurbita Riley, 1884 [nomen nudum]. Proc. Amer. Assoc. Advan. Sci. 32:319.
Pachypsylla celtidis-cucurbita Riley, 1890. USDA Bull. 7:621.
Pachypsylla cucurbita [sic]: Smith & Taylor, 1953. J. Kansas Entomol. Soc.26:103.
Pachypsylla celtidiscucurbita Riemann, 1966 [emendation]. Ann. Entomol.Soc. Am. 59:1089.