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.

- Enrique Medianero, José Luis Nieves-Aldrey: (2010) The genus Amphibolips Reinhard (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) in the Neotropics, with description of three new species from Panama^©