Melikaiella
Pujade-Villar, 2014
Species Guides
4- Melikaiella flora(Live Oak Petiole Gall Wasp)
- Melikaiella fructuosa
- Melikaiella ostensackeni
- Melikaiella tumifica
Melikaiella is a of oak gallwasps in the Cynipidae, established by Pujade-Villar in 2014 to accommodate previously placed in Callirhytis and Cynips. The genus comprises twelve species distributed across the Nearctic region, primarily in the United States and Mexico. Species in this genus induce galls on oak trees (Quercus) and exhibit the typical cynipine with alternating sexual and . The genus name honors Hungarian cynipidologist George Melika.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melikaiella: /mɛlɪkaˈjɛlə/
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Identification
Members of Melikaiella can be distinguished from related by diagnostic morphological characters detailed in the original description, including features of the mesosoma and metasoma. The genus was erected based on phylogenetic and morphological analysis that separated these from Callirhytis. A key to the twelve species is provided in Pujade-Villar (2014), based on gall and characteristics.
Images
Habitat
Associated with oak-dominated where Quercus occur. Specific habitat preferences vary by species and correspond to the distribution of their oak hosts.
Distribution
Nearctic region, specifically the United States and Mexico. occur across a broad geographic range from Vermont to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Host Associations
- Quercus - gall inductionAll are oak gallwasps; specific oak species associations vary by Melikaiella species
Life Cycle
Ecological Role
Induces galls on oak trees, potentially affecting oak growth and serving as a food source for gall-inhabiting and .
Similar Taxa
- CallirhytisEight Melikaiella were transferred from Callirhytis; separation based on revised phylogenetic and morphological analysis
- CynipsCynips papula and related were transferred to Melikaiella; distinguished by diagnostic morphological characters
More Details
Etymology
The is named after George Melika, Hungarian entomologist and in cynipid .
Taxonomic history
Established in 2014 with four new and eight species transferred from Callirhytis and Cynips. Callirhytis petrosa Weld was synonymized under M. corrugis.