Melikaiella fructicola. comb. n

Callirhytis fructicola
Callirhytis fruticola

[No photo of the gall is included.]

Only the asexual generation is known. Ashmead (1897) described this species after the examination of the Riley collection. The history of labels can be consulted in Weld (1922b). This species induces galls in red oak acorns, on Q. ilicifolia Wangenh., Q. marilandica (L.) and Q. velutina Lam. (= tinctoria W. Bartram) distributed in USA (Burks, 1979). The galls are similar to M. flora asexual galls. Galls occur in autumn and adults emerged in December under laboratory conditions, the natural emergence probably would be happening in spring (Weld, 1922b).

Range: PA, VA, SC, TN

Callirhytis fructicola

Quercus catesbaei [laevis], ilicifolia, imbricaria, marilandica
Acorn galls
A stone gall inside mature acorns not to be distinguished in field from Callirhytis fructuosa (Fig 70) and sometimes reared along with it [on Q marilandica].

[Photo caption (no photo)]
Has been reared along with Callirhytis fructuosa from stone galls in acorns of Q ilicifolia and Q marilandica. Galls similar to Fig 70 [Callirhytis fructuosa].

Callirhytis fructicola, new species

This gall consists simply of the white kernel or larval cell embedded in the interior or meaty portion of the acorn, or then on the outside near its base, generally hidden by the cup.

Two or three acrorns in Dr. Riley's collection, affected by this species, when cut open, revealed more than a dozen larval cells, closely pressing upon one another, and filling the whole interior of the acorn.

Six female specimens, reared April 5, 1873.

Callirhytis fruiticola

The gall of this interesting species occurs in the meaty part of acorns of scarlet, red and black (Q. tinctoria [velutina]) oak and probably others belonging to the red oak group. It consists simply of a hard rounded kernel or larval cell imbedded in the inside of the acorn. Sometimes there are more than a dozen larval cells closely pressing upon one another and filling the whole interior of the acorn. The gall matures in the autumn and the adult emerges next spring. A gall similar to that of fruiticola was found by Mr. L. H. Weld, at Evanston, IL., in the acorn of the swamp oak {Q. platanoides [bicolor]) which, when the adult is known, will undoubtedly prove to be a new species.

Habitat: N. Y., Conn., N. J., Penn., IL., Mich., Mo.