Andricus infectorius

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.

Andricus infectorius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Cynipidae
Genus: Andricus
Species:
A. infectorius
Binomial name
Andricus infectorius
(Hartig, 1843)

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
  1. 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.
  2. Ellis, W N. "Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  3. "Andricus infectorius (Hartig, 1843)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  4. Fenwick, David. "Andricus infectorius - An oak gall (Wasps - Hymenoptera)". Aphotofauna. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
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