Andricus peltatus, n. sp.

The gall described below was discovered on Quercus marylandica Muench., near Raleigh, North Carolina, by the senior author who was impressed by its unique characters. The specimens were brought into the laboratory and the adults reared. These adults may not belong to the genus Andricus but awaiting a thorough revision of the Cynipid genera they may be placed there provisionally. The gall is very different from any other North American cynipid cecidium in the possession of the curious peltate bract-like appendages, which are borne on and constitute a part of the gall proper; in the usual situation with bracted galls the bracts are borne beneath the larval cell or cells, representing aborted leaves. The adult insects emerged about June 1st.

Gall: On Quercus marylandica Muench., sessile on stem at nodes (originates from apical meristem of lateral bud) on branch portions from 1-5 years old; prosoplasma, concentric type with up-walled superstructure ; flask-shaped, the neck bearing numerous, sparsely hairy bract-like appendages which are reflexed and overlap shingle fashion. Appendages greenish with red-tinged hairy tips, peltate, lanceolate, stalk short. When young very thickly covered with acicular trichomes some of which are of the compound stellate type; 8-14 mm. high, 14-22 mm. wide at base including appendages; 1 or sometimes 2 larval cells in proximal half (Fig. 4), distal false chambers corresponding, walls thick, thin sclerotic layer differentiated around nutritive layer lining the chamber; rare, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dryocosmus floridensis

Quercus catesbaei [laevis], cinerea [incana], falcata, imbricaria, marilandica, nigra, palustris, phellos, velutina
Stem galls, detachable
A rosette of green bracts sessile or clasping small twigs, the larval cell in center. Usually single. April-May.

[Photo caption]
Seen on all the red oaks except Q texana [buckleyi]. A leafy green rosette usually single on twigs, containing one or two cells. Fig 297. Adults emerged June 11-19

A rosette of green bracts sessile on trunk or partly clasping small twigs, larval cell in center. Usually single. Found on all the red oaks in early spring.

Dryophanta floridensis sp. nov.

Gall— On the trunks of Spanish Oak (Quercus digitata) [falcata] and Blue Jack (Quercus brevifolia) [incana], that are six or more inches in diameter; in April. The gall is soft and fleshy and does not look like a gall at all. At the base of each sprout there is a rather large cell, which is covered with short, fuzzy, abortive leaflets. They occur in clumps and are dormant bud galls.

Habitat. — Ocala and Jacksonville, Florida, (Lewis H. Weld).

Dryocosmus floridensis

Dryophanta floridensis
Andricus peltatus

Host. — D. floridensis was described from Spanish oak, Q. rubra (falcata) and from Blue-jack oak, (cinerea [incana]) from Florida; peltatus from Q. marilandica., and the writer here adds the following unrecorded hosts: Q. nigra., Q. imbricara, Q. phellos, and Q. palustris. He has reared adults from palustris, rubra, and imbricaria.

Biology. — About Washington the galls may be found just starting in early May. They are then bright scarlet. As they develop the bracts become green and unless gall is parasitized turn brown about the time the adults emerge which is about the middle of June. For rearing the galls must be left on the tree until the pupa stage is reached and the living flies cut out of the dry galls later. May 27 was the earliest date at which a pupa was noted. By June 19, 1921, almost all the flies were out.

Habitat. — The species seems to belong to the Atlantic coast plain. The writer has seen galls at Chesapeake Beach, Md. ; East Falls Church, Rosslyn, and Fredericksburg, Va. ; Fairfax, S. C. ; Marianna, River Junction, and Glainesville. Fla.; Troy and Dothan, Ala.: Palestine, Houston, Trinity, and Texarkana, Tex.; and at Tuskahoma, Okla. J. L. Zabriskie collected galls at Flatbush. N. Y.

Dryophanta floridensis

Gall consisting of one or more larval cells or capsules in a leaf bud
Cells surrounded by a rosette of linear leaves

Dormant bud galls covered with short fuzzy abortive leaflets and occurring in clumps on trunks of Spanish oak (Q digitata [falcata]) and blue jack oak (Q brevifolia [incana]).

Dryocosmus floridensis (Beutenmueller 1917)

Hosts: Quercus laevis

[Asexual generation detachable stem gall found in Florida in the spring.]