Amphibolips oaxacae sp. nov.

[A photo of this gall appears on page 36 of the pdf]

Gall (Fig. 18F). A regularly spherical, large oak apple gall measuring approximately 40 mm in diameter. Pale green with darker green spots when fresh. The gall is monothalamic; the outer shell is thin but firm; with a spongy consistency internally, filling the entire gall. The larval cell is rounded and is embedded in the soft internal substance. Forming on twigs of Quercus sp. aff sapotifolia. The gall closely resembles that of Amphibolips palmeri Basset 1890, also described from Mexico, but for which the host is unknown.

Distribution. A. oaxacae was found at 1180 m a.s.l. in Oaxaca State, Mexico.

Biology. Only females of the presumably sexual generation are known. The galls were collected in March, and the insects emerged in the same month.

- Jose Luis Nieves-Aldrey, E Pascual, Y Maldonado-Lopez, E Medianero, K Oyama: (2012) Revision of the Amphibolips species of Mexico excluding the “niger complex” Kinsey (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), with description of seven new species^©