Druon protagion Kinsey, 1937, comb. rev.

Druon protagion Kinsey, 1937: 61, female, gall.
Druon polymorphae Kinsey, 1937: 60, female, gall, syn. nov.
Druon malinum Kinsey, 1937: 58, female, gall, syn. nov.
Andricus polymorphae (Kinsey): Weld, 1952a: 308.
Andricus protagion (Kinsey): Weld, 1952a: 309.
Andricus malinum (Kinsey): Weld, 1952a: 307.

Gall (Fig. 138). Compact clusters of cells (most often 3–4, sometimes more) covered with short, compact, brownish-yellow, russet, or bright purplish-brown woolly pubescence that darkens with age; pubescence usually covering the individual larval cells, although the tips of the cells are sometimes exposed; single clusters circular, closely compact, averaging around 10 mm in diameter and 8 mm high, but larger agglomerations of clusters oval or more elongate and up to 30 mm long. The larval cells rather stout but elongate, averaging about 3.0 mm long.

Biology. Only the asexual generation is known, which induces galls on Q. rugosa (= Q. conglomerata), Q. potosina and Q. polymorpha (all Section Quercus, Series Leucomexicanae); galls mature in late autumn, adults emerge from February of the following year, with most emerging in March–April.

Distribution. Mexico: Michoacan, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas.

Druon protagion, n. sp.
Agamic form

Gall. — Wool covering brownish yellow, russet, or (most often) bright purplish brown, dark with age, the individual hairs rather short but densely matted, closely compact, usually covering the individual larval cells, although the tips of the cells are sometimes exposed; single clusters circular, closely compact, averaging near 10. mm. in diameter and 8. mm. high, but agglomerate clusters oval or more elongate and up to 30. mm. in length. The larval cells rather stout but elongate, averaging about 3.0 mm. in length; usually with 3 or 4 cells in individual clusters, with more in agglomerate clusters.

Host. — Quereus conglomerata [rugosa], an oak with rather large, smooth, and entire leaves.

Range. — Michoacan: Morelia, 14 E, 7000’. — Posssibly extending from Morelos to Jalisco on Q. conglomerata and its close relatives.

Life History. — Adults: March 25. April 2, 20. Most of the emergence in the last week of March and first week of April.

From the other species described in this present paper, protagion is distinct in having a rather small gall which is wine purple or purple brown in color.

Druon polymorphae, n. sp.
Agamic form

Gall. — Wool covering light gray tan to buff brown, rarely touched red purple; the individual hairs quite long, wavy, forming a tangled, rather compact mass which ordinarily covers the larval cells, though the cells may be exposed in smaller or worn dusters; typical clusters rounded, compact, averaging near IF mm. in diameter and S. mm. high, with agglomerate masses more elongate, up to 32. mm. in length. Larval cells averaging 3.5 nun. in length, rather slender, averaging 3 to 7 in a duster.

Host. — Quercus polymorpha, the large tree bearing entire, smooth, evergreen leaves.

Range. — San Luis Potosi: Cerritos, 25 W, 6000L Probably confined to a portion of the Eastern Sierra centering in the eastern part of the state of San Luis Potosi.

Life History. — Adults: February 29. April 10, 16, 23. Most of the emergence near the middle of April.

This species, polymorphae, from a locality in the Sierra of the eastern part of San Luis Potosi occurs on the same oak as D. mailnum The latter species is found further northeast in the Sierra of southwestern Tamaulipas. The two species on Q, polymorpha are not as close relatives as the two species found in the one locality in Tamaulipas. The gall resembles that of malinum in being tan to brown of considerable size.

Druon malinum, n. sp.
Agamic form

Gall. — Wool covering buff or tan brawn, the individual hairs quite tangled, rather long, moderately although not closely compact, but completely hiding the larval cells; the irregular masses up to 40. mm. in length and 9. mm, in height, but compact, oval masses averaging near 12. mm. in diameter and 6. mm. high. The larval cells averaging 3. mm. in length, moderately stout and long, averaging 3 to b in a cluster, though many more may occur in elongate, conglomerate masses.

Host. — Quercus polymorpha, the tallest, broad-leaved oak of the region.

Range. — Tamaulipas: Ciudad Victoria, 21 W, 3200’. — Probably confined to this oak (and its relatives?) in a portion of the Eastern Sierra of Mexico.

Life History. — Adults: March 15.

This species, malinum, occurs on the broader-leaved, evergreen oak of the region, namely Q. polymorpha. In the same area, Druon linaria occurs on Q. oleoides. The gall of malinum is very distinct from the gall of linaria in being a buff or tan brown, woolly mass of considerable size.