Acraspis villosa

Gillette, 1888

Acraspis villosa is a gall-forming in the Cynipidae. It induces galls on bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). The has been documented in Canada and the United States. Molecular studies have confirmed alternate sexual and using sequencing of cytb and ITS2 markers.

Acraspis villosa leaf gall by Yann Kemper. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acraspis villosa: /əˈkræspɪs vɪˈloʊsə/

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Identification

Galls induced by A. villosa on Quercus macrocarpa provide the primary means of field identification. The specific gall distinguishes this from other oak gall wasps. are small, typical of cynipid gall wasps, but specific morphological characters for field identification require examination.

Images

Habitat

Associated with bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in areas where this tree occurs.

Distribution

Canada: Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario. United States: New York, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Arizona.

Host Associations

Quercus macrocarpa - gall Forms galls on this oak

Life Cycle

Alternate sexual and have been proposed and confirmed through data. Four individuals (two asexual females, two sexual females) sequenced for both cytb and ITS2 showed identical haplotype sequences within each generation type.

Ecological Role

Gall inducer that manipulates plant tissue development in its oak , creating sheltered structures that provide food and protection for developing larvae.

Similar Taxa

Acraspis macrocarpaeAlso induces galls on oaks; distinguished by gall and specificity patterns
Other Cynipidae on QuercusMany cynipid induce oak galls; identification requires examination of specific gall characteristics and associations

More Details

Molecular confirmation

Digweed (2010) proposed alternate sexual and , subsequently confirmed with sequencing. Cytb and ITS2 sequences were identical among individuals within each generation type (GenBank accessions MW388885, OM321613–OM321615 for cytb; OM331806–OM331809 for ITS2).