Loxaulus virginianae Melika & buss, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A key to all 14 Loxaulus species known from America north of Mexico was published by Melika & Abrahamson (2000). There are two species of Loxaulus, L. pattersoni (Kinsey, 1922) and L. virginianae, which are associated with Q. virginiana. Loxaulus pattersoni, known from Texas, induces galls on roots of Q. virginiana.

Gall. (Fig. 328). Galls are tiny cryptic cells hidden under the bark of twigs, with little or no visible swelling of the twig. The galls are 2 mm long and consist only of the larval chamber. The galls are commonly induced in a longitudinal cluster and are most easily detected by the emergence holes in the bark.

Biology. Only an asexual generation is known, which induces stem galls in twigs of Q. virginiana. Galls mature in May, adults emerge soon afterwards.

Distribution. USA, Alabama, Grand Bay

- George Melika, James Nicholls, Warren Abrahamson, Eileen Buss, Graham Stone: (2021) New species of Nearctic oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini)^©