Neuroterus escharensis, new species

Host.--Quercus bicolor.

Gall.--A minute cell hidden in the tissue of the twig under a leaf scar, the tip protruding so slightly as to be scarcely noticed until the adult within begins to cut out a hole by which to emerge. Sometimes two cells occur side by side under the same leaf scar and more rarely the exit hole is just above the boundary of the scar. They may be found in winter or spring in previous seasons' growth usually underneath the scars just below the terminal bud cluster.

Biology.--On April 24, 1909, flies were found at Evanston IL ovipositing on the buds of bicolor, perched on the side of the bud with the ovipositor thrust perpendicularly through the bud scales. Investigation revealed the galls described above in the leaf scars under these buds with adults just emerging.

A precisely similar gall was found at Ravinia on Q alba.

Neuroterus escharensis

Stem galls
Cells in the twigs, no deformation evident
Cells in the tissue of the twig under leaf scar, the tip protruding so slightly as to be scarcely visible until the adult begins to chew its way out in the latter half of April. Sometimes two cells under the same leaf scar. Near the terminal cluster of buds on Q bicolor.

Neuroterus escharensis

Quercus alba
Stem galls, cells hidden under bark, little or no swelling
Cell under and exit hole just above the leaf scar.

Quercus bicolor
Stem galls, cells hidden under bark, no noticeable swelling of twig
Cell under and exit hole just above the leaf scar. Usually near terminal cluster of buds in spring.

[Photo caption]
On Q bicolor. Also on Q alba. Adults emerged Apr 15 (indoors) and were apparently ovipositing in the side of buds.