Amphibolips spinosa n. sp.

Galls on the Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)

Gall.— A small, brown globular gall, covered with prickles or spines; the shell is thick and covers with a slight spongy substance, a thin larval cell; diameter .30 inch.

Described from one specimen reared in January.

Amphibolips spinosa

Quercus laurifolia, phellos
Bud galls
Lemon-shaped. Collected on ground Oct to Feb. Type host.

[Photo caption]
On Q phellos. Also on Q laurifolia, cinerea [incana]. Collected on ground in Oct. Contained pupae Dec 5.

Amphibolips spinosa

This species was described from one specimen from " Florida " reared in January, the gall on Q. laurifolia. The writer has found the gall on Q. phellos also and at the following localities : Jacksonville, Daytona, Live Oak, Madison, River Junction, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Clearwater. Among galls collected on ground at Madison on October 21, 1919 some contained pupae but the adults never emerged. When the galls were cut open October 10, 1920 moulded adults, a pupa and a larva were found. These adults were females.

Amphibolips spinosa

Spiny oak apple. Globose, spined, brown, thick-shelled leaf gall, internally slightly spongy, diameter 7.5 mm, on Q laurifolia.

Amphibolips spinosa Ashmead, 1887, sexual generation

Synonyms: Amphibolips spinosa Ashmead (1887: 141), females and galls. Amphibolips spinosus corrected spelling by Dalla Torre & Kieffer (1910: 591)

Biology. Alternate asexual and sexual generations are known. Asexual galls (Fig. 42) are ovate, about 10 mm long, in buds on Q. laurifolia and Q. myrtifolia. The sexual bud galls begin to develop in early May, mature in May-June, adults emerge in May through June. We recorded sexual galls on Q. myrtifolia, Q. laurifolia, Q. inopina and Q. incana.

Distribution. USA: Florida, Highlands, Manatee, Martin, Walton, Liberty, Brevard Counties. We found this species also in North Carolina (Patsy Pond Area and Croatan National Forest, Carperet Co.).

Amphibolips spinosa

Gall. On leaves of laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia). Brown, globular, covered with prickles or spines. The outer shell is thick and internally it is composed of a slight spongy substance, which surrounds the thin central larval cell. Diameter 7.50 mm.

Habitat: Florida.