Biorhiza rubinus

Biorhiza rubina

Cynipidae

Phylloteras

Quercus alba

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Quercus montana

Cynipid galls of the eastern United States

Phylloteras rubinum (agamic)

Biorhiza rubinus n. sp.

Quercus alba

Galls: When the leaves begin to turn in October, subglobular juicy galls about two or three mm in diameter and rosy in color are found attached to the under side of the leaves. From a number of these galls collected in October 1887, four were selected and opened October 15 1888, from which one fully developed female cynip and three plump white larvae were obtained.

A Study of the Cynipidae

Biorhiza rubinus

The galls are small, globular, juicy bodies from two to three inches [original description says mm] in diameter, occurring upon the leaves of Q alba in October. Flies emerge the following summer. MI, IO

The Gall-producing Cynipidae of Iowa

Biorhiza rubina

Globose, rosy, juicy leaf galls on the upper surface, diameter 2 to 3 mm, on Q alba.

Key to American Insect Galls

Biorhiza rubina

White or rosy translucent depressed spherical galls 2-3 mm in diameter on under side of leaves of Quercus alba in fall, agreeing with the original description of the galls of this species, have been noted [in IL, MO, NY, VA]. Similar galls have been seen on the rock chestnut oak, Q montana, [in VA]. The writer has not reared the adult. 

Field notes on gall-inhabiting cynipid wasps with descriptions of new species

Biorhiza rubina

Spherical but depressed, pure white, bare, 3-4 mm in diameter. On under side of leaf of Q alba in the fall, dropping before the leaf. Adult probably emerges the second spring.

Cynipid Galls of the Chicago Area

Phylloteras rubinum

Quercus alba, prinus [montana]
Leaf galls, detachable
Depressed sphere up to 5.2 mm by 3.1 mm high, on under side as leaves are turning in the fall, often on young trees.

[Photo caption]
A depressed white sphere up to 5.2 mm in dia by 3.1 mm high on under side of leaf of Q alba just as the leaves are turning in the fall.


Phylloteras rubinum

Host: Quercus alba

Depressed, spherical galls (2-3 mm) on underside of leaves of Q alba 

Distr: IL, MO, NY, VA

Synonymy of two genera of cynipid gall wasps and description of a new genus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

It's not currently clear how white galls of this species can be distinguished from those of [Phylloteras nigrum](https://www.gallformers.org/gall/856). Weld's drawing depicts Phylloteras rubinum on veins, with a larval chamber just above the attachment point to the leaf and a clear demarcation between distinct tissue types on the lateral edges and the center of the gall. Every gall we have observed that seems to resemble one of these two species has conformed to rubinum on these traits. 

Gallformers ID Notes