Neuroterus christi Melika and Abrahamson, NEW SPECIES

Diagnosis.--The galls are also quite similar in appearance to those of N. quercusirregularis, but those of N. christi are strictly associated with Q. geminata and Q. virginiana Mill., not nearly so succulent, and usually of a regular cylindrical shape and not so irregularly shaped as those of N. quercusirregularis.

Distribution.-FL

Biology.-Only the bisexual generation is known. The host oaks are Quercus geminata and Q. virginiana. The galls are leaf parenchyma thickenings, equally protruding on both sides of the leaf along one side of the main vein, green when young but turning brownish green when mature, polythalamous, generally with four to six larval cells per gall, about 12.0-15.0 mm long, 3.0-4.5 mm wide, and 3.0-4.5 mm high, and usually of a regular cylindrical form. The walls of the inner cells are whitish green and the surface of the gall is smooth, without hairs. There are usually one or two galls per leaf. Adults usually emerge from the upper side. The first galls appear in mid-March, and the adults emerge the last week of May and beginning of June.

Neuroterus christi (Melika & Abrahamson 1997)

Hosts: Quercus geminata

[Sexual generation integral leaf galls found in the spring]