Protogyny
Guides
Aceria calaceris
Rocky Mountain maple felt mite
Aceria calaceris, the Rocky Mountain maple felt mite, is an eriophyid mite that induces distinctive felt-like galls called erinea on maple leaves. This microscopic species was first described by Hartford H. Keifer in 1952 from Fallen Leaf Lake. It has a complex life cycle involving two female morphs—protogynes for reproduction and deutogynes for overwintering—plus a single male form. The species is found in the western United States and Canada, where it specializes on three maple species.
Mycetosoritis hartmanni
Hartmann's Fungus-farming Ant
Mycetosoritis hartmanni is a rarely collected fungus-farming ant native to North America. Colonies are small and monogynous, typically containing fewer than 100 workers. The species constructs distinctive turret-like mounds in sandy soils and cultivates fungi as its sole food source. Despite being locally abundant in suitable habitat, it remains poorly known due to its subterranean lifestyle.
Phasgonophora
Phasgonophora is a genus of chalcidid wasps in the family Chalcididae, with at least two described species: Phasgonophora sulcata and Phasgonophora rugithorax. Members of this genus are solitary endoparasitoids of woodboring beetle larvae. Phasgonophora sulcata, the better-studied species, is native to North America and has been documented attacking Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) as a novel host, as well as Agrilus bilineatus (twolined chestnut borer). The genus has gained attention for its potential role in biological control of invasive forest pests.