Caryomyia spherica Gagne, new species

Hosts: Carya glabra, laciniosa, ovata, pallida, tomentosa

Gall (Figs. 21, 160-161): Infrequent, on Eucarya hickories; usually scattered along veins, on lower leaf surface; 5.0-8.0 mm in diameter, spherical, covered with thick, short, brown hair obscuring gall surface; base with narrow, shallow, circular depression; larval chamber at center of sphere, ovoid, tan to brown, the surrounding thick walls large-celled, woody. Galls of this species are superficially similar to the rounder galls of C. persicoides, but the larval chamber of C. spherica is centrally located instead of at the base of the gall. The gall is also much harder and not subject to shrinkage as is the softer gall of C. persicoides.

Affinities. — Galls of C. spherica and the more spherical galls of C. persicoides can be superfically similar in gross aspect.

Biological notes. — In autumn the full-grown larva cuts a cylindrical passage from its chamber in the center of the gall up to but not including the epidermis. In spring the pupa pushes through the epidermis. Adults were reared in early April. In my experience this gall appears in late summer.

Range: AL, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MS, NC, TN, TX, VA