Xystoteras sp.

Quercus lyrata, macrocarpa
Leaf galls, detachable
Galls like this figure [218-219] from Quercus macrocarpa, Manhattan KS gave adults in Feb, May, and June and were erroneously designated and distributed as neotypes of Xystoteras volutellae Ashm whose type turned up, later in the Beutenmueller collection and bears Ashmead's label: "X volutellae Ashm Jan Riley Co Kan Marlatt."

[Photo caption]
These galls collected on Q lyrata at Texarkana AR in Oct 1917 produced adults May 23-June 14-21 1918 and were erroneously designated and distributed as neotypes of Xystoteras volutellae Ashm the type fly of which turned up in the Beutenmueller collection in 1935 labeled: "Jan Riley Co Kan Marlatt. X volutellae Ashm." The type gall however is much like Fig 247 in structure.

Xystoteras volutellae Ashmead [According to Lyon, Weld was mistaken about the loss of Ashmead's types, and the wasp he replaced them with is P lyratum, not volutellae]

This species, the genotype of Xystoteras, was described from a single specimen from Manhattan, Kans., from Quercus macrocarpa. The type galls are in the National Museum, but the type fly can not be found there, nor did Ashmead return it to Manhattan, as he is known to have done with certain species sent him from there. The writer has collected galls which agree with the Ashmead types, and reared flies which agree with the original description except that balsam mounts show a tooth on the tarsal claws, which were described as simple. As the type seems to be lost it seems advisable to designate this series of reared flies as neotypes, and to add a few notes on the species to supplement the original description. The galls were collected in October, 1917, at Texarkana, Ark., on Q. lyrata; and, when a few were opened on November 21, some contained pupae and others living adults. The flies emerged (out- of-doors at Evanston, IL.) on February 19, March 20, April 6, May 23, June 14 and 21, 1918. The same galls were seen at Poplar Bluff, Mo., on Q. lyrata.

Phylloteras lyratum Lyon, new species

Host: Quercus lyrata

Gall.--Tiny, 3.5 mm high, monothalamous gall, attached to undersides of leaf blades. Developing galls covered with white bloom during growth, but lost at maturity. Larval cell occupies gall base.

Weld (1926), believing that the type of Xystoteras volutellae had been lost, erroneously designated a series of specimens, collected at Texarkana, Arkansas, on Quercus lyrata Walt as lectotypes (sic!). These were widely distributed to various museums. After he located the “lost” type, he (Weld 1952) acknowledged the error and stated that the specimens from Texarkana represented a new species that should be described. This was never done, however, so a description of this new species is provided here.

Emerged from rearing Feb 19, Mar 20, May 23, Apr 6, Jun 14, 21.

Distr: AR