Rhodites utahensis n. sp.

Mr. Siler sent me from Utah, several years ago, some very large rose galls that did not differ, so far as I could see, from R. radicum O. S. It is true they were larger and less regular in form than that species and showed more plainly that they originated in a leaf bud. The largest specimen was three inches in diameter, and one or two others were nearly as large. They appeared to have grown near the surface of the ground, but not under moss or fallen leaves, as is the habit of R. radicum. They were old galls and I reared nothing from them, but on cutting them open I found several perfect insects, evidently Rhodites, and all of the male sex. The females seemed to have made their way out. On comparing them with the males of R. radicum I found them to agree so closely that I was disposed to look upon them as merely a variety of that species. Further study revealed some minor differences, and at least one characteristic that seemed to entitle them to rank as a distinct species.

There are species in this genus that resemble each other more nearly than these two, but in such cases the galls are very distinct. If further observations show it to be only a variety it is sufficiently marked to deserve a name.

- HF Bassett: (1890) New Species of North American Cynipidae (1890)^©

Reference: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/32322#page/70/mode/1up