Feron dumosae (Weld, 1957), comb. nov.

Gall (Fig. 202). Small, 2–3 mm, conical gall on leaf edge, slightly pubescent, fresh galls red-pinkish to pale brown, leaf blade twists slightly at the gall. The gall is difficult to distinguish from other similar sexual galls of F. comatum, F. crystallinum and F. kingi.

Biology. Rosenthal (1968) and Rosenthal & Koehler (1971) erroneously stated that Liodora dumosae was the sexual generation of Andricus kingi. Dailey & Menke (1980) subsequently corrected this mistake by demonstrating that Rosenthal & Koehler had mis-identified their sexual generation wasps as L. dumosae and instead had reared the then unknown sexual generation of A. kingi. Evans (1972) proposed that L. dumosae was the sexual generation of Andricus pattersonae and transferred the later to Liodora under the new name combination L. pattersonae; this error was reiterated by Dailey & Menke (1980). However, this matching with A. pattersonae is in disagreement with genetic data presented herein (see under F. pattersonae), nor did Evans perform any rigorous biological experiments to match generations. In addition, Evans appears to have mis-identifed his asexual generation galls (Fig 15 of Evans 1972) as they are too small and pale to be those of A. pattersonae and instead look like those of the new species F. rucklei described herein. Thus, until rigorous rearing experiments are conducted or genetic data are obtained, we consisder Feron dumosae to be a valid distinct species known only from its sexual generation.

Galls occur on multiple oaks from section Quercus, subsection Dumosae: Q. douglasii, Q. dumosa, Q. garryana and Q. lobata. They mature in May and adults emerge soon after.

Distribution. USA: California.

Andricus pattersonae
Bisexual generation

[Photos of this gall appear on page 12 of the pdf]

On the margins of young leaves, occasionally submarginally, more frequently on the basal section of the leaf, rarely on the leaf stem; more commonly on the lower leaves of small trees. Individual galls about 3x1 mm, eccentrically fusiform-ellipsoidal, apex attenuated and curved; the surface densely micro-spinose. Immature galls pale green, maturing to dark red. Single monothalamous, but sometimes in groups of 2-4, possibly 8 or 9 on a leaf. Emergence hole is at the upper end of the gall, below the apex. Parasitized galls are often more globular and variable in size, usually brighter red.

Range: west-central CA

Adults of the bisexual generation emerge during late May to early June, and females oviposit on the undersides of leaves. Galls that are too crowded develop at an uneven rate and many do not mature. The agamic females may emerge the following spring, late March to early April; however, a diapause within the gall for 1 or 2 years is common.

Liodora dumosae

Quercus douglasii, dumosa, engelmanni [listed as detachable], garryana, lobata
Leaf galls, integral
Fig 152. Black when dry, 2-5 mm. long, at [leaf] edge.

Fig 152. Q-dumosa, douglasii, lobata, engelmanni. Adults emerged May 10.

Liodora dumosae, new species

Host: Quercus dumosa Nutt.

Gall: Conical, thin-walled, 3 mm. long, erect, at margin of leaf, black when dry.

Habitat: The types are from galls collected at Stanford, Calif., May 3, 1922, the adults emerging May 10. Paratypes are from Newhall, Lakeport, and Ukiah, Calif. Galls have been seen also on Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arm, Q. lobata Nee, and Q garryana Dougl.

Andricus pattersonae (bisexual generation)

The 2-3 mm-long spring bisexual generation galls are pear-shaped, reddish or black with age, and form at leaf margins.