Amphibolips castroviejoi (sexgen)

Amphibolips aliciae (sexgen)

Amphibolips salicifoliae (sexgen)

# *Amphibolips castroviejoi* Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov.

(Figs. 1, 2, 7C, 7F & 8A–C)

## Type Material

**Holotype:** ♀ (Fig. 7A) (in *Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales*, Madrid, Spain (MNCN)),  
card-mounted. Cat. nº 2022.  

**Locality:** PANAMA, Chiriquí, Carretera de Volcancito, Boquete (8º 43' 23.07" N, 82º 27' 19.07" W),  
1404 m; ex gall on twigs of *Quercus salicifolia* Née (*Fagaceae*).  

**Collection Date:** Gall collected 28.i.2008, insect emerged ii.08, *E. Medianero* leg.  

**Paratypes:**  
- 1 ♂, same data as holotype.  
- 1 ♀, 1 ♂, same data as holotype, but collected 12.i.2008, insect emerged i.08.  

One paratype in *MNCN*, two paratypes in *Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá (MEUP)*.  
Additionally, 1 ♀ paratype of the type series was dissected for SEM observation (*in MNCN*).

## Etymology

Named after Dr. Santiago Castroviejo, dear colleague and friend, a recently deceased eminent botanist  
who worked for many years on the *Flora of Coiba National Park* (Panama).

## Gall (Fig. 8A–C)

Irregularly spherical or globose, slightly elongated at its base, monothalamic, with a smooth and mottled surface.  
Light green when fresh (Fig. 8A) and light cream when mature (Fig. 8B); the outer shell is thin but firm.  
Internally, it has a soft, uniformly spongy consistency, filling the entire gall (Fig. 8C). The larval cell is rounded  
and embedded in the soft internal substance.  

**Size:** Diameter 58 to 45 mm (on average 54 × 43 mm).  

**Host Plant:** *Quercus salicifolia* Née.  

The gall most closely resembles that of *Amphibolips murata* Weld, 1957, known from Florida (USA).

## Distribution

*A. castroviejoi* was found between **1000–2681 m a.s.l.** in Chiriquí, Panama.

## Biology

Only the sexual generation is known, inducing galls on *Quercus salicifolia* and likely on other  
*Quercus* species (*section Lobatae*).  

The galls are found between **December and May**, during the dry season in Panama.  
The insects studied emerged in **January and February**.


# *Amphibolips aliciae* Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov.

(Figs. 3, 4, 7D–E & 8D–F)

## Type Material

**Holotype:** ♀ (Fig. 7D) (in *Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales*, Madrid, Spain (MNCN)),  
card-mounted. Cat. nº 2023.  

**Locality:** PANAMA, Chiriquí, Carretera de Volcancito, Boquete (8º 46' 23.7" N, 82º 27' 19.7" W),  
1404 m; ex gall on twigs of *Quercus salicifolia* Née (*Fagaceae*).  

**Collection Date:** Gall collected 25.i.2009, insect emerged 25.i.09, *E. Medianero* leg.  

**Paratypes:**  
- 2 ♂, same data as holotype.  
- 1 ♂, ex gall collected 12.i.2008, insect emerged ii.08, *E. Medianero* leg.  

One paratype in *MNCN*, one paratype in *Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá (MEUP)*.

## Etymology

Named after our good friend, the botanist Alicia Ibañez, in memory of unforgettable field  
sampling experiences in Panama.

## Gall (Figs. 8D–F)

Elongate, ovate, or spindle-shaped, with a very short nipple at the apex (Fig. 8D).  
Greenish when fresh; coffee brown and very glossy when dry (Fig. 8F).  

- Outer shell is very thin.  
- Internally, a single central larval cell is suspended by very thin hair-like filaments (Fig. 8E).  
- When dry, the gall is very brittle and can be easily crushed with fingers (Fig. 8E).  
- **Average size:** 2.5 mm long.  

Externally, the gall resembles *A. castroviejoi*, but the inner structure is distinct:  
- *A. castroviejoi*'s gall is soft and juicy.  
- *A. aliciae*'s gall consists of radiating filaments supporting the central larval chamber.

## Distribution

*A. aliciae* was found between **1000–2681 m a.s.l.** in Chiriquí, Panama.  
Galls are rare.

## Biology

Only the **sexual generation** of *A. aliciae* is known, inducing galls on twigs of  
*Quercus salicifolia* Née and likely other *Quercus* species (*section Lobatae*).  

- Galls are found between **December–April**, during the dry season in Panama.  
- Adults emerged in **January and February**.


# *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**.


The genus Amphibolips Reinhard (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) in the Neotropics, with description of three new species from Panama