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Title: The description of Zapatella davisae, new species, (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) a pest gall wasp of black oak (Quercus velutina) in New England

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item MELIKA, GEORGE - Plant Protection Institute - Hungary
item DAVIS, MONICA - University Of Massachusetts
item ELKINTON, JOSEPH - University Of Massachusetts

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2016
Publication Date: 4/15/2016
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Melika, G., Davis, M., Elkinton, J.S. 2016. The description of Zapatella davisae, new species, (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) a pest gall wasp of black oak (Quercus velutina) in New England. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118(1): 14-26.doi: 10.4289/0013-8797.118.1.14.

Interpretive Summary: Many species of gall wasp essentially co-exist with their host oak tree species. Occasionally, the association becomes destructive to the tree, as is the case with new species described here. This species is a twig galler, and as such, in the cases of heavy infestation, cause flagging, leaf clumping, and dieback of branches and twigs. Records of this species in North America, as well as related species, are summarized, and methods for their identification are discussed. This product will be very useful to extension entomologists dealing with these pest species, as well as research entomologists and ecologists working on oak-related species.

Technical Abstract: Many species of gall wasp (Cynipidae) essentially co-exist with their host oak tree species. Occasionally, the association becomes destructive to the tree, as is the case with Zapatella davisae, new species. This species is a twig galler, and as such, in the cases of heavy infestation, cause flagging, leaf clumping, and dieback of branches and twigs. Historical records of other species of Zapatella suggest members of this genus have checkered record with respect to damaging their host plants in North America, and these data are summarized here.