Dryocosmus archboldi Melika & Abrahamson, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The gall most closely resembles that of D. quercuslaurifoliae (Ashmead, 1881), D. quercusnotha (Osten Sacken, 1870) and D. quercuspalustris (Osten Sacken, 1861). In D. archboldi, the gall narrows to a pointed tip (Fig. 314), while in D. quercuslaurifoliae, D. quercusnotha and D. quercuspalustris the galls are always rounded, never with a pointed tip (Figs. 315–316).

Gall. (Fig. 314). An integral, succulent unilocular leaf gall, reaching 5 mm in diameter and height. Conical in shape, narrowing to a point; on underside of leaf; green with paler longitudinal stripes. The larval cell becomes free-rolling once the gall matures. Very rarely the galls develop on catkins.

Biology. Only a sexual generation is known, which induces integral leaf galls on Q. myrtifolia and Q. laurifolia. The galls develop very quickly, appearing in the second half of March and producing adults by the end of March into April.

Distribution. USA, Florida:Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Josephine Creek, Highlands Co.; Coconut Point Sanctuary, Brevard Co.; Gratin Beach Island, Walton Co.; Spanish Ponds Wildlife Reserve, Jacksonville.

Quercus myrtifolia, phellos
Leaf galls, integral
Conical, wall thin and translucent, with a free-rolling cell, on under side in early spring. Full-grown in mid-Feb at Ft Myers FL. Fig 303.

[Photo caption]
Never reared. Fig 303. Conical, 6-7 mm high, on under side of leaf in early spring. On Q phellos and myrtifolia.

303. Conical gall on Q phellos, wall thin and translucent, with a free-rolling cell inside. On under side of leaf in mid-Feb at Ft Myers FL.