Belonocnema

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Cynipoidea
Family: Cynipidae
Tribe: Cynipini
Genus: 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.

Images

Belonocnema kinseyi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Belonocnema colorado by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Belonocnema fossoria by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Belonocnema is a genus of oak gall wasps that induce galls on live oak species, exhibiting both sexual and asexual generations. The genus consists of three known species and has an important role in forest ecology.

Physical Characteristics

Antennae with 14 (females) or 15 (males) segments; spur on the anterior side of fore tibia longer than basitarsus in some species; scutellar foveae may be deep and well-defined or shallow and weakly delimited; coloration ranges from reddish brown to yellowish brown.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing between species can be done by examining the number of antennae segments, the length of the spur on the anterior side of the fore tibia, and the shape and characteristics of the scutellar foveae.

Habitat

Found predominantly on live oak (Quercus) trees in the southeastern United States, particularly on the underside of leaves and the roots where galls form.

Distribution

Southern and southeastern USA, along the Gulf coast, specifically in states such as Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.

Diet

Belonocnema galls induce the formation of galls on oak trees, indicating a herbivorous diet on plant tissues.

Life Cycle

Belonocnema undergoes both sexual and asexual generations, with a complex life cycle involving galls formed on leaves and roots. The asexual generation develops within leaf galls during summer, while the sexual generation forms in root galls.

Reproduction

Belonocnema females oviposit on the undersides of newly unfurled leaves in spring, with subsequent generations developing in galls, leading to both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Ecosystem Role

Belonocnema species play a role in oak forest ecosystems as gall-inducing insects and serve as food sources for various parasitoids and inquilines.

Collecting Methods

Visual inspection of host plants for galls
Collection of galls and host plant material

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation of specimens
Drying and pinning specimens

Evolution

The genus is considered to have well-resolved taxonomy based on morphological, ecological, and genetic studies, and includes the synonymous genus Dryorhizoxenus.

Similar Taxa

Cynipidae
Dryorhizoxenus

Misconceptions

Galls are often misidentified due to the superficial similarity between different species' galls, making accurate identification dependent on knowing the host plant.