Neuroterus alexandrae Nicholls & Melika, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Neuroterus alexandrae belongs to Kinsey’s subgenus Neospathegaster. It is one of only two Neuroterus known from the southwestern US that induce round bud galls. Closely resembles N. stonei.

Gall. (Figs. 342–343). Spherical, unilocular bud galls, 3–4 mm in diameter, on terminal or axillary buds. Gall surface smooth and shiny, initially green, sometimes developing mottled or striped patterning in red or purple. Possibly the same as the undescribed gall pictured in Fig. 25 of Weld (1960).

Biology. Only a sexual generation is known, which induces bud galls on Q. turbinella. Galls mature in April– May, adults emerge soon afterwards.

Distribution. USA, Arizona, Mogollon Rim area

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