Cecidomyia Vitis coryloides, new species
Gall Vitis coryloides, n. sp. On the vine of Vitis cordifolia [vulpina] — A roundish mass, 1.25 to 2.5 inches in diameter, of from 10 to 50 opaque, woolv-pubescent , fusiform , or sometimes flattish-oval, green galls, each from 0.59 to 0.75 inch long, the whole springing from the point where normally a bud would be located. Generally it is only the terminal half of each gall that is pubescent , the basal half being smooth. The interior of each gall is fleshy, juicy and subacid, with a single longitudinally central cell 0.25 inch long and 0.06 inch in diameter.
We have met with one or two small specimens of this gall growing upon the cane of the wild Frost Grape in Illinois; and we were presented with two very large specimens by Mr. Mills of Hock Island, IL., which had grown upon a Frost Grape planted in his dooryard, from one of which the annexed drawing is copied (Fig. 80). The whole mass of galls springs from a common centre at the point where a bud would normally be, and is evidently a mere deformation of a bud. Occasionally an undeformed leaf with its peduncle still entire puts forth from the common centre, sometimes bearing a couple of galls at the junction of the peduncle with the leaf. each gall is one-celled, the cell being about a quarter of an inch long and one-fourth as wide as long, and containing a single larva. (See Fig. 86,b). The larva closely resembles that of the Grape-vine Apple-gall, and is therefore no doubt that of some Gall-gnat. Large sized specimens of this gall bear a general resemblance to a bunch of filbert or hazel nuts, as they grow on the bush: hence the name that we have given it. Fuller details will be found in the foot-note.
Read more...
License:
Public Domain / CC0