Amphibolips dampfi Kinsey

Amphibolips dampfi Kinsey

Amphibolips dampfi Kinsey, 1937: 429–430.

Type material examined: HOLOTYPE. ♂ (deposited in AMNH) with the following labels: “Sierra Juarez be-tween Ixtlán de Juarez and Tepanzacoalco agalla 2.24.32/ 8700, ♂ before 4.15.32” (handwritten, white label); “ Q. ocoteaefolia Dampf coll.” (handwritten, white label); “ Amphibolips dampfi ParaHolotype ” (handwritten, red label); “ Cynipidae Amphibolips dampfi Kinsey, 1937, Nieves-Aldrey det.” (white label).

Additional material. MEX-298, MEXICO, Predio La Victoria, Acocaxoithlan, Hidalgo Ex. Q. affinis, (19. iii.2014) 7–21.iv.2014: 7♂ (UB), leg. J. Pujade-Villar & D. Cibrian-Tovar.

Diagnosis. This species is characterized for a deep V-shaped posteromedian depression on the mesoscutellum which is reaching the posterior margin of scutellar foveae; strong horn-like posterolateral projections slightly bent upwards (Figs 12B, 12 G–H). Area laterad to parapsidal lines rugose. Forewing (Fig. 13C) heavily infuscate with clear cross band extended from the anteromedian margin of radial cell to the posterior area, into second cubital and discoidal cells, not reaching posterior margin. This species highly resembles A. turulli n. sp. (see below) especially for the similar mesoscutellum and forewing colour pattern; but in A. dampfi the area laterad to parapsidal lines rugose (alutaceous in A. turulli n. sp.); forewings with anal and basal half of discoidal cells completely infuscate (hyaline in A. turulli n. sp.), fragile subglobose internally spongious bud galls slightly pedunculate and with small tip at apex with internal spongious tissue soft, mainly white turning into roseate around larval cell, light brown when dry (turgescent green leaf galls in A. turulli n. sp.). The gall of A. dampfi is unmistakable. It is very deformable for its lax and soft spongy internal tissue with a cotton-like appearance. It resembles A. zacatecaensis gall but in A. dampfi the internal tissue is white to rosy near the larval chamber, very soft, cotton-like (light brown and denser in A. zacatecaensis).

Gall (Fig. 15E). Monolocular subglobose bud gall, up to 50 mm in diameter, with slightly elongate apex and base with smooth and fragile surface, homogenous in colour; internal spongious tissue soft, white to rosy, turning brown when dry; with cotton-like texture (the fibers leaving numerous aerial interspaces); larval chamber occupying central part of the gall, about 4–5 mm in diameter, embedded with spongious tissue.

Hosts. Quercus ocoteifolia, Q. affinis.

Biology. Only the sexual generation is known. Galls mature by February and March; adults emerge from February to April.

Distribution. Mexico: Hidalgo and Oaxaca states.

Remarks. The name of the host plant (Q. ocoteifolia), cited in the original description of this species, was erroneously written as Q. ocoteaefolia. This incorrectly spelled epithet appeared in a number of infraspecific descriptions: Quercus ocoteaeifolia f. confusa Trel., Q. laurina var. ocoteaefolia (Liebm.) Wenz., and Q. nitens var. ocoteaefolia (Liebm.) A. DC. All those forms and varieties were synonymized under Q. ocoteifolia.

Comments. According to Melika et al. (2011) A. dampfi closely resembles A. palmeri Basset 1890 and may be synonymous. The type of A. palmeri (a single female) is lost, nevertheless the adult and gall descriptions seem to be consistent with this hypothesis (see A. palmeri below). The type of A. dampfi is also presumed to be lost (C. Le Beau pers. comm.).