Amphibolips nigrialatus sp. nov.

Gall: A regular, spherical, moderately-sized gall with a green colour when it is fresh. When dry, the gall acquires a rough and slightly elongated appearance and turns brown in colour. The galls measure on average 16.5 × 21.5 mm (diameter of 14 to 19 mm and length of 17 to 25 mm; n = 4). The gall is monothalamic. The outer shell is thin, flexible and of fleshy consistency when fresh and becomes rigid and hardly detachable from the parenchyma when dry. Internally, there is a spherical larval cell in the centre of the gall (5 × 5 mm; n = 1); a spongy tissue occupies the entire space between the epidermis and the larval chamber and is hardly separable from the larval chamber. When it is dry, the gall is moderately fragile.

On twigs of Quercus sapotifolia Liebm. Closely resembles that of Amphibolips oaxacae Nieves-Aldrey & Pascual, 2012, A. michoacaensis Nieves-Aldrey y Maldonado, 2012, A. trizonata Ashmead, 1896 and Amphibolips kinseyi sp. nov. However, the gall of A. nigrialatus differs in its size, which is approximately half that of the other species. The gall is similar to that of A. murata Weld, 1957, but not as rough when dry and to that of A. quercusfuliginosa Ashmead, 1885, from which it is impossible to differentiate according to the original description of the gall. Nonetheless, the adults are completely different.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Veracruz State, Mexico.

Biology. Presumably, a sexual generation. The gall was collected in late April and the insect emerged shortly afterwards.

- Dohuglas Eliseo Castillejos-Lemus, Ken Oyama, José Luis Nieves-Aldrey: (2020) Description of three new species of oak gallwasps of the genus Amphibolips Reinhard from Mexico (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae)^©