Disholcaspis spongiosa

Quercus alba, chapmani, margaretta
Stem galls, detachable
Globular, cluster, 20-30 mm in dia, with a rusty-brown surface. Rare on Quercus alba.

Quercus stellata
Stem galls, detachable
Globular, cluster, 20-30 mm in dia, of closely packed galls with a rusty surface.

[Photo caption]
On Q stellata. Also on chapmani, margaretta, alba (rare). Adults emerged in Nov and Dec (FL).

Disholcaspis spongiosa

The galls of this species were collected on Quercus stellata, margaretta, and chapmani at the following localities: Thebes (E. Schwab) and Floyd's Island in Okefenokee Swamp (Dr. J. C. Bradley), Ga. ; Green Cove Springs, Daytona, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ocala, Gainesville, Madison, Marianna, River Junction, and Tallahassee, Fla.; Montgomery and Troy, Ala.; Mineola, Palestine, Trinity, and Houston, Tex. ; Texarkana, Hoxie, and Hot Springs, Ark.; Hugo and Tuskahoma, Okla. ; Poplar Bluff and Ironton, Mo. In 1917 adults had emerged at Poplar Bluff by November 3, at Hoxie they contained pupae on October 10 and emerged November 16, at Palestine they contained pupae and adults on October 16. They emerged from Daytona galls on December 5.

Holcaspis spongiosa (Karsch)

Diplolepis spongiosus
Cynips spongiosa
Cynips q ficula
Loxaulis ficula
Holcaspis ficula

Gall. (Plate IX, Figs. 10, 11.) Closely compressed clusters surrounding the twigs of burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa), post oak (Quercus minor [stellata]) and Quercus chapmani. The individual galls in these clusters assume a variety of forms, by reason of their lateral pressure which they exert upon each other. The normal form would undoubtedly be that of a regular cone attached by its apex to the branch. The galls form a rounded or elongated or globular symmetrical mass, somewhat resembling that of pressed figs. Externally they are thin-shelled and are usually covered with a rust-colored velvety substance which mostly disappears from the outward and exposed surface. Internally it is composed of a soft spongy reddish brown substance and contains a hard larval cell not separable from the spongy substance. The masses are usually very closely compact giving them the appearance of being one large gall, with fissures and depressions indicating the individual galls. Length 25 to 50 mm. Diameter 16 to 38 mm.

Habitat. Georgia; Florida; Texas.

The types of H. ficula are in the American Entomological Society and the American Museum of Natural History, and the types of H. spongiosus are probably in the Berlin Museum.

The description and figure of the gall of H. spongiosus agree with that of H. ficula. The adult was briefly described from a broken example and Dr. Karsch stated that the same together with the characteristic gall would serve to recognize the species.

Disholcaspis spongiosa (Karsch 1880)

Hosts: Quercus chapmanii

[Asexual generation detachable stem gall found in Florida in the fall.]