Neuroterus archboldi Melika and Abrahamson, NEW SPECIES

Distribution.-Florida (Archbold Biological Station, Lake Wales Ridge, Highlands Co.; Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin Co.).

Biology.-Only the bisexual generation is known, and the only known host for N. archboldi is Quercus chapmanii. This species induces blister-like parenchyma thickenings which are visible on both sides of the leaf but protrude more on the underside of the leaf. The gall is rounded, monothalamous, 1.5-2.0 mm in diameter, 1.0-1.5 mm high, green or whitish green, very slightly lighter than the leaf, and drier than the succulent polythalamous N. quercusirregularis galls. The larval cell is situated on the underside of the leaf, not separated from the outer layers of the gall. There are 18 to 25 or more galls per leaf. After adults emerge, the galls shrink and wrinkle and dry out and drop. Consequently, rounded holes remain in the leaf. We observed these galls actively growing for the first time on 9 March 1995. Adults emerged the second and third week of March into April. They were very common leaf galls on Q. chapmanii at the Archbold Biological Station. Simultaneous with this species, N. quercusirregularis galls could develop on the same leaf, but they are easily distinguishable from those of the former on the basis of galls. Our efforts to rear the alternate generation in cages containing emerged wasps on Chapman oaks were unsuccessful.

Neuroterus archboldi (Melika & Abrahamson 1997)

Hosts: Quercus chapmanii

[Sexual generation integral leaf gall found in the spring.]