Amphibolips aliciae

[Photos of this gall appear on page 39 of the pdf]

Galls of A. aliciae are fusiform, fragile onto smallest pressure, internal hollow-like space with thin filaments radiating from the central larval chamber (Figs 14B, 14D); while galls of A. kinseyi n. sp. and A. quercuspomiformis comb. nov. are subglobose, hard, with internal space obliterated by a spongious parenchyma. The internal structure of A. aliciae gall also resembles the gall of A. salicifoliae, which are hollow with radiating filaments. However, they can be differentiating by the shape and gall location: fusiform galls on buds in A. aliciae and spherical galls on leaves in A. salicifoliae.

Gall (Figs 14A–D). A fusiform bud gall with a fine tip and base, with a hard, lignified outer shell, 2.5 mm long. Internal space hollow with thin filaments radiating from the central larval chamber, 5–6 mm in diameter.

Hosts. Quercus salicifolia (Panama); Q. crassifolia (Mexico, new record).

Biology. Only the sexual generation is known. Galls were collected from January to March; adults emerged shortly after gall collecting. Distribution. Panama (original description), Mexico: Puebla state, new record.

Amphibolips aliciae Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov.

(Figs. 3, 4, 7D–E & 8D–F)

Type Material

Holotype: ♀ (Fig. 7D) (in Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain (MNCN)),
card-mounted. Cat. nº 2023.

Locality: PANAMA, Chiriquí, Carretera de Volcancito, Boquete (8º 46' 23.7" N, 82º 27' 19.7" W),
1404 m; ex gall on twigs of Quercus salicifolia Née (Fagaceae).

Collection Date: Gall collected 25.i.2009, insect emerged 25.i.09, E. Medianero leg.

Paratypes:

• 2 ♂, same data as holotype.
• 1 ♂, ex gall collected 12.i.2008, insect emerged ii.08, E. Medianero leg.

One paratype in MNCN, one paratype in Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá (MEUP).

Etymology

Named after our good friend, the botanist Alicia Ibañez, in memory of unforgettable field
sampling experiences in Panama.

Gall (Figs. 8D–F)

Elongate, ovate, or spindle-shaped, with a very short nipple at the apex (Fig. 8D).
Greenish when fresh; coffee brown and very glossy when dry (Fig. 8F).

• Outer shell is very thin.
• Internally, a single central larval cell is suspended by very thin hair-like filaments (Fig. 8E).
• When dry, the gall is very brittle and can be easily crushed with fingers (Fig. 8E).
• Average size: 2.5 mm long.

Externally, the gall resembles A. castroviejoi, but the inner structure is distinct:

• A. castroviejoi's gall is soft and juicy.
• A. aliciae's gall consists of radiating filaments supporting the central larval chamber.

Distribution

A. aliciae was found between 1000–2681 m a.s.l. in Chiriquí, Panama.
Galls are rare.

Biology

Only the sexual generation of A. aliciae is known, inducing galls on twigs of
Quercus salicifolia Née and likely other Quercus species (section Lobatae).

• Galls are found between December–April, during the dry season in Panama.
• Adults emerged in January and February.