Amphibolips salicifoliae

Galls of A. salicifoliae are subglobose, on the underside of leaves, very fragile, outer shell thin, hollow internally with thin filaments radiating from larval chamber while galls of A. quercuspomiformis comb. nov. are on buds, with outer shell hard, internal parenchyma spongious. Thin filaments radiating from the larval chamber to the outer shell in A. aliciae. We can differentiate these galls by the shape of the gall and its location (fusiform bud galls in A. aliciae and spherical leaf galls in A. salicifoliae).

Host. Quercus salicifolia.

Gall. Globose and fragile galls on the underside of leaves, with maximum diameter 30 mm; outer shell thin, internal space hollow with filaments radiating from the larval chamber. Larval chamber central or at the base of the gall (Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey 2010: Figs 8G–H).

Biology. The sexual generation is only known. Galls were collected in January; adults emerged in February.

Distribution. Panama.

Amphibolips salicifoliae Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov.

(Figs. 5, 6, 7F, 7G & 8G–H)

Type Material

Holotype: ♀ (Fig. 7F) (in Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain (MNCN)),
card-mounted. Cat. nº 2024.

Locality: PANAMA, Chiriquí, Volcán Barú (8º 47' 50.8" N, 82º 29' 35.9" W),
1800–2070 m; ex gall on leaf of Quercus salicifolia Née (Fagaceae).

Collection Date: Gall collected 27.i.2009, insect emerged ii.09, E. Medianero leg.

Paratypes:

• 2 ♀, 2 ♂, same data as holotype.

Two paratypes in MNCN, two paratypes in Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá (MEUP).

Additionally, 1 ♀ of the type series was dissected for SEM observation (in MNCN).

Gall (Fig. 8G–H)

• Regularly spherical, smooth.
• Greenish when fresh, dark brown and very glossy when dry.
• Outer shell is thin.
• Internally, the larval cell is central and supported by thin hair-like radiating filaments (Fig. 8H).
• When dry, the gall is very brittle and may be easily crushed with the fingers.
• Average diameter: 30 mm.

Distribution

A. salicifoliae was found between 1870–2680 m a.s.l. at a single site on Volcán Barú, Panama.
Compared to A. castroviejoi, this species is rare.

Biology

Only the sexual generation of A. salicifoliae is known, inducing galls on the underside of
Quercus salicifolia leaves.

• Galls are found between January–April, during the dry season.
• Insects emerge in the same season.
• This species displays remarkable sexual dimorphism in coloration.