Amphibolips durangensis sp. nov. [both durangensis and duraguensis appear in the description]

[Photos of this gall appear on page 36 of the pdf]

Gall (Figs.18C, 18D). A spindle-shaped gall with an elongated and narrow tip and base. Longitudinally, the surface of the gall is crossed by longitudinal ridges. The gall is monothalamic; the outer shell is thin but firm; internally, it has a spongy consistency, filling the entire gall (Fig. 18D). The larval cell is rounded and is embedded in the soft internal substance. Diameter of 54 x 43 mm on average). Forms on twigs of Quercus scytophylla. The gall closely resembles that of Amphibolips fusus Kinsey 1937, also described from Mexico, and was illustrated recently by Melike et al. (2012). However, the gall of A. duranguensis differs from the gall of A. fusus due to its much more elongated and narrow points, both at the tip and at base. Another difference is the gall surface, which is smooth in the gall of A. fusus, without longitudinal ridges.

Distribution. A. duranguensis was found at 1900 m a.s.l. in Durango state, Mexico.

Biology. Only females of the presumably sexual generation are known. The galls were collected in July, and the insects emerged in October.

Amphibolips durangensis

The gall of this species closely resembles A. fusus, differs by the elongation of both, peduncle and apical tip, thinner in A. durangensis; surface of galls is crossed by longitudinal ridges in A. durangensis and smooth in A. fusus.

Gall. Galls on buds, fusiform, maximum 43–54 mm in diameter, with elongate thin peduncle and apical tip; outer shell thin, hard, usually smooth with longitudinal ridges; internal spongious soft tissue with central larval chamber, around 5 mm (Nieves-Aldrey et al. 2012: Figs 18C–D).

Host. Quercus scytophylla.

Biology. Only females are known. The mature galls were collected in early July; adults emerged in October.

Distribution. Mexico: Durango State