| Xanthoteras clavuloides | |
|---|---|
,_Photo_568000636.jpg)
| |
| The gall formed by the asexual generation of X. clavuloides, on the leaf of Quercus lobata, Santa Clara County, 2025 | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Cynipidae |
| Genus: | Xanthoteras |
| Species: | X. clavuloides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthoteras clavuloides Beutenmuller, 1911
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Xanthoteras clavuloides, also known as the club gall wasp, is a species of gall-inducing wasp. It is native to California, where it induces galls on the leaves of valley oak.[1]
Description
[edit]The club gall wasp is named for the hairy, green, club-shaped galls induced by its larvae.[1] The characteristic bulge in the gall is due to the larval chamber.[2] The galls begin developing in August on the underside of leaves, and are fully formed by September when they stand up to 8 mm high.[3] Female adults from the asexual generation emerge in the spring.[1]
The adult female is described as having a brown thorax, yellowish brown legs, black eyes, and translucent wings with brown, heavily marked veins.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit]Only the asexual generation is known, and was first described in 1911 by William Beutenmuller under the name Dryophanta clavula.[2] In 1979, Burks recognized this species under Xanthoteras, and in 2002, it was transferred again to the genus Atrusca.[4] However, by the presence of a malar sulcus, or groove on the cheek of the adult female, the organism was distinguished from Atrusca and transferred back to Xanthoteras in 2025.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Russo, Ronald A. (April 20, 2021). Plant galls of the western United States. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691213408.
- ^ a b c Beutenmuller, William (1911). "Descriptions of new Cynipidae". The Canadian Entomologist. 49 (10): 345--349.
- ^ Weld, Lewis H (1926). "Field notes on gall-inhabiting cynipid wasps with descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 68 (2611): 1--131.
- ^ a b Cuesta-Porta, Victor; Melika, George; Ferrer-Suay, Mar; Vera-Ortiz, Alexis; Pujade-Villar, Juli (2025). "Review of the Nearctic and Neotropical genus Atrusca Kinsey, 1930 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini)". Zootaxa. 5617 (1): 1--195.