Andricus infectorius
| Andricus infectorius | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Cynipidae |
| Genus: | Andricus |
| Species: | A. infectorius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843)
| |
Andricus infectorius is a species of gall-forming wasp. The species was named by the German biologist Theodor Hartig, in 1843 and is found in Europe.
Description of the gall
The asexual generation is a 10–20 mm spherical gall, found from late-May through to October when it matures. Found on the terminal bud of a branch, it is initially green and as it matures darkens to dark brown; falling to the ground in the winter.[1][2] The gall is found on Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto), sessile oak (Quercus petraea), downy oak (Quercus pubescens) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur).[2]
Oak gall wasps often have two generations per cycle, with one sexual and one asexual; each creating different galls. According to Milan Zúbrik et al. (2013), the sexual generation of the gall is unknown, but likely to be on Turkey oak (Quercus cerris).[1] A very small, ovoid gall on the catkins of Turkey oak may be the sexual generation.[2]
Distribution
This species has been found in some western and central European countries but is absent from Belgium, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.[3] It has recently been found in Great Britain. A 2013 gall found on Trengwainton Carn, near Penzance, Cornwall was initially identified as Andricus inflator. According to Dr C Leach of the British Plant Gall Society, it is more likely to be A. infectorius.[4]
References
- ^ a b Zúbrik, Milan; Kunca, Andrec; Csóka, György (2013). Insect and Diseases Damaging Trees and Shrubs of Europe. N A P Editions. p. 381. ISBN 978 2 913688 18 6.
- ^ a b c Ellis, W N. "Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ "Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ Fenwick, David. "Andricus infectorius - An oak gall (Wasps - Hymenoptera)". Aphotofauna. Retrieved 28 November 2019.