Neuroterus (Dolichostrophus) dubius

GALL. — A small, egg-shaped capsule; monothalamous, thin-walled, entirely hollow, 2.0-3. 0 mm. long by 1.0 mm. in diameter, pointed at one end, drying light yellowish brown, scatteringly set with short wool. On the edge of the leaf or on the aments of white oaks (figs. 53, 54).

RANGE. — Massachusetts to California. Probably thruout North America, wherever white oaks occur.

All of the known varieties are bisexual, in spring galls, the insects emerging not very late in the spring. The galls of only a single form are known, the other insects having curiously turned up in collections of galls of other Cynipidae. Probably the galls of all varieties are so small and simple as to be overlooked in collecting.

Neuroterus dubius variety clarkeae

GALL. — As described for the species; on the edge of the leaf, or on aments of Quercus alba (figs. 53, 54).

RANGE. — Massachusetts: Magnolia (Clarke coll.). New Jersey: Broadway. Probably confined to a more northeastern portion of the United States.

Beutenmuller’s Massachusetts material emerged in late May and early June; my New Jersey material emerged soon after collecting on May 19, 1920. The type galls occurred on leaves ; my material was on the aments ; I have not been able to examine the type material, but I think there can be no question of the varietal identity of my own insects. The galls are very similar to most anther galls, but bear a scattered wool. The occurrence of the type galls on leaves and of my galls on aments is merely typical of the gall polymorphism in this subgenus, where any young tissue may be attacked, the insects showing little specialization in their choices of points of oviposition.

Neuroterus clarkeae

Quercus alba
Leaf galls, integral
Light-colored, ellipsoid, sessile, at edge, covered with short wool, 2-3 mm long, in early spring.

[Photo caption]
Light-colored, ellipsoid, sessile, covered with short wool, 2-3 mm long, at edge of young leaf of Q alba in the early spring.

Neuroterus clarkeae

Light brown, budlike, thin-shelled, marginal leaf gall covered with short wool, length 2 to 3 mm, on Q alba.

Neuroterus clarkeae sp. nov.

Gall On the edges of the leaf of white oak (Quercus alba) in May. Monothalamous. Light brown, bud-like and covered with short wool. It is thin-shelled, fragile, and contains no separate larval cell. Length 2-3 mm.

Habitat: MA

The flies emerge during the latter part of May and early in June.