Andricus menkei Melika & Abrahamson, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The galls resemble those of Callirhytis quercusgemmaria (Ashmead, 1885). However, the small ribbed galls of C. quercusgemmaria are in clusters surrounding twigs, green and nectar-secreting when young, later turning grey-green and dehiscing. In contrast, galls of Andricus menkei are solitary and are not known to secrete nectar.

Galls. Unilocular stem galls, usually solitary or rarely in pairs (very rarely threes) that burst through the bark as they develop. The gall surface is marked with parallel longitudinal ribs. When attacked by parasitoids and inquilines the galls do not dehisce but enlarge, become woody and remain on tree over the winter.

Biology. Only the asexual generation is known, which induces dehiscent bud galls on Q. pumila. The larva overwinters in the gall; adults emerge in March.

Distribution. Florida, Dade-Metropolitan Co., Deering Estate Pinelands, Coral Gables.

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