Kokkocynips decidua (agamic)

Andricus decidua, new species

Cynips quercus decidua
Cynips decidua

Gall : On the midribs of the leaves of red oak (Quercus rubra) and black oak (Q. velutina). Rounded or elongated swellings filled with oblong kernels from a few to about 40, all depending upon the size of the gall. When young these bodies are concealed in the hard, fleshy part of the gall and as the swelling grows older the seed-like kernels gradually protrude therefrom and when fully grown late in September and early in October the swelling bursts open completely and the kernels fall to the ground. The gall is green when fresh and the kernels are whitish, yellowish, sometimes tinged after they become exposed. 

Habitat: New England States, Middle States, and southward to at least North Carolina and westward. 

This singular species was hitherto known by the gall only. Described from a single female from the Black Mountains, North Carolina, altitude 3,500 feet. The gall is quite common, but the imago is difficult to raise. 

Description of a New Gallfly (Andricus decidua)