Belonocnema
Mayr, 1881
Species Guides
3Belonocnema is a of cynipid gall wasps restricted to the southeastern United States. The genus comprises three recognized that induce distinct galls on section Virentes oaks, including live oaks. All species exhibit heterogony, with alternating sexual and producing morphologically and ecologically different gall types. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with Dryorhizoxenus now synonymized under Belonocnema.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Belonocnema: /bɛloʊnɒkˈniːmə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Belonocnema are distinguished from other cynipid by their association with section Virentes oaks and their characteristic gall : galls appear as small spherical structures on leaf undersides, while sexual generation galls form on roots. The genus can be separated from the synonymized Dryorhizoxenus by morphological and genetic characters now consolidated under B. treatae. Species-level identification requires examination of gall location, generation type, and subtle morphological differences in the themselves.
Images
Habitat
Restricted to supporting section Virentes oaks, primarily in the southeastern United States. These include coastal plain forests, maritime hammocks, and oak-dominated woodlands where oaks occur.
Distribution
to the United States, ranging from Texas eastward to Florida.
Host Associations
- Quercus section Virentes - gall inductionAll induce galls; on leaf undersides, sexual generation on roots
Life Cycle
Heterogonic with alternating sexual and . Asexual females produce small spherical galls on the undersides of leaves. Sexual generation induces galls on oak roots.
Ecological Role
Gall induction creates structure supporting a complex of associated organisms. Multiple , , and hyperparasitoid have been documented rearing from Belonocnema galls, indicating significant trophic importance.
Similar Taxa
- Other Cynipini genera on oaksBelonocnema is distinguished by its restriction to section Virentes oaks and the unique combination of leaf-based galls and root-based sexual galls; most other oak gall wasp induce galls on stems, buds, or leaves in both .