Antron quercusnubila
(Bassett, 1881)
Antron quercusnubila is a gall-inducing cynipid native to the southwestern United States. The exhibits an alternating sexual and cycle, a trait confirmed through molecular analysis of cytb and ITS2 sequences. Like other members of the Cynipidae, this wasp manipulates oak tissue to form protective galls that shelter and nourish developing larvae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Antron quercusnubila: //ˈæntrɒn kwɜːrkəsˈnuːbɪlə//
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Distribution
Documented from Arizona, USA. Records indicate presence in oak-dominated of the southwestern United States.
Host Associations
- Quercus - gall inductionSpecific oak not clearly documented in available sources
Life Cycle
Alternating have been confirmed through sequencing. Both females and sexual males have been identified, with four individuals sequenced for cytb and ITS2 markers. Two cytb haplotypes (0.92% divergence) and two ITS2 (0.19% divergence with single base indel in polyT repeat) were recovered.
Similar Taxa
- Antron quercusechinusBoth belong to Antron and induce distinctive galls on white oaks; A. quercusechinus produces the urchin gall on blue oak and other white oaks
- CynipsAntron was historically classified within Cynips; the basionym Cynips quercusnubila reflects this taxonomic relationship