Atrusca congesta (Kinsey, 1930)

Figs 200–206

Synonymy
Cynips bella variety congesta Kinsey 1930: 292, female, gall.
Atrusca congesta (Kinsey): Weld 1951: 638.

Types examined

HOLOTYPE female Cynips bella var. congesta “Alpine, Tex. 12.14.19, gall 12.14.19”, “Q. grisea, Kinsey coll.”, red “Cynips congesta, Holo- Paratype”, deposited in AMNH, NYC, examined by GM. Three PARATYPE females, deposited in the general collection of AMNH, NYC, were designated by Kinsey (1930) and examined by GM.

Material examined

One female “Marfa 22S, Tex., gall 10.13.39”, “Q. grisea Kinsey coll.”, “Cynips congesta det. Kinsey ‘36” examined by GM and was compared to the holotype.

Gall (Fig. 206)

Similar to galls of bella and dugesi complexes; impossible to distinguish from other galls of the two complexes. Globular gall with unspotted surface.

Biology

The asexual generation is only known to induce leaf galls on Q. grisea. Galls mature in late autumn; adults start to emerge from December.

Distribution

USA: Texas.

Cynips bella congesta Kinsey
agamic form

Cynips bella congesta Kinsey, 1930, Ind. Univ. Studies 84-86:292, figs. 45, 281.
Cynips bella var. Hoffmeyer, 1930, Ent. Meddel. Kbhvn. 17:214.
Cynips bella vanescens (error) Hoffmeyer, 1933, Ent. Meddel. Kbhvn. 18:247.

GALL.-Very similar to all galls of the C. bella and C. dugèsi complexes, apparently indistinguishable from galls of C. (dugèsi) pupoides which occur in the same region. Mature galls rosy tan, not mottled, up to 23. mm., averaging near 17. mm. in diameter.

HOST.-Quercus grisea, the evergreen white oak of the area

RANGE.-Texas: Alpine. Fort Davis. Marfa, 22 S. Probably confined to the mountain ranges of West Texas. Figure 96.

LIFE HISTORY..—Adults: December 14, 16.

Restudy of our material in connection with the Mexican material now available in the complex confirms our opinion that congesta, from West Texas, is a distinct species.

Cynips bella var congesta, new variety
agamic form

GALL. — As described for the species, apparently indistinguishable from the galls of the other varieties of bella or from the gall of Cynips dugesi pupoides which occurs in the same region. On leaves of Quercus grisea.

RANGE. — Texas: Alpine and Fort Davis (Kinsey coll.). Probably confined to the mountain ranges of western Texas (and adjacent regions?). Figure 45.

These insects were emerging on December 14 (in 1919) at Alpine, Texas, and two days later at Fort Davis, Texas. Cynips dugesi pupoides, whose galls also occur at Alpine and Fort Davis, is a small, short-winged insect that cannot be confused with congesta.