Kinseyella lapiei (Kieffer), comb. nova

Disholcaspis lapiei Kieffer, 1911: 346–347 (female, gall); Melika & Abrahamson, 2002.
Holcaspis weldi Beutenmueller, 1911: 86–87 (female, gall).
Adleria lapiei: Weld (1952); Burnett (1977).

Gall. The galls are similar to K. quercusobtusata, sometimes larger, reaching 55 mm in diameter.

Biology. Only the asexual generation of this species is known, inducing twig and leaf galls on Q. reticulata (Section Quercus ‘sensu stricto’). The gall starts to develop in summer (Kieffer 1911) and mature in autumn; adults start to emerge in October (Beutenmueller 1911).

Distribution. Currently known only from Mexico. Galls were collected from El Parque at 2300m a.s.l., near Cuernavaca (Estado de Morelos) (Kieffer 1911) and Ajusco (Distrito Federal) according to Beutenmueller’s labels

Comments. Originally Kinseyella lapiei was described by Kieffer (1911) as Disholcaspis lapiei. Kinsey (1937a) suggested that D. lapiei Kieffer probably a synonym of D. weldi (Beutenmueller) (= Holcaspis weldi Beutenmueller, not Cynips weldi Beutenmueller). However, Kinsey (1937a) suggestion for the synonymization of D. lapiei to D. weldi was erroneous from the point of view of ICZN, and what was correctly mentioned by Weld (1952). Chronologically, D. lapiei was described before H. weldi, which is a junior synonym, and thus Weld (1952) was right when synonymized H. weldi to D. lapiei. Later, Weld (1952) placed it in Adleria Rohwer & Fagan. Burnett (1977) provisionally treated lapiei also as Adleria; Melika & Abrahamson (2002) re-established the Disholcaspis combination. On the other hand, the genus Holcaspis Mayr, where H. weldi has been described, was preoccupied by Chadour 186- for Coleoptera and, thus Dalla Torre & Kieffer (1910) established Disholcaspis as new genus name for Holcaspis sensu Mayr.

Holcaspis weldi, sp. nov.

Gall. In clusters on the terminal twigs and leaves of Quercus reticulata.

Monothalamous. Globular, thin-shelled, yellowish and tinged various shades of pink and red, covered with a dense rusty brown, pubescence, which may be rubbed off with the fingers. Inside there is a rounded kernel held in position by radiating fibers which are covered with a moss-like substance. The inner side of the shell is densely covered with a rusty brown moss-like substance. Diameter 20-40 mm.

Habitat: Mexico.

The galls were purchased by Mr. Lewis H. Weld from a woman at a fruit stand on the street in the Mexico City and the specimens evidently came from the nearby mountains. The galls were bought September 12th, 1910 and the adults emerged between October 2nd and 9th. The oak was kindly identified for me by Dr. N. L. Britton.