Gall wasp 2 - Druon quercuslanigerum

Adult

The larva in this image is now an adult, and I've added the images. (Thanks again, G Whiz--I just kept it on a paper towel in a container and moistened it every two or three days, and it did great!) I've also re-done the linkages and remarks. (The adult I'm talking about here is the one in the linked images. It's not the one referred to in earlier comments.)

… John Schneider, 21 February, 2010 - 2:49pm

Moved

Moved from Gall Wasps. This seems to be a pretty good fit. The old photos I've seen don't show the details very well, but the descriptions (forthcoming on the guide page) seem to match.

… Charley Eiseman, 6 February, 2010 - 10:08am

Thanks, Charley

Glad to have a probable ID!

… John Schneider, 6 February, 2010 - 10:26am

We have an adult now

new photos added

… John Schneider, 6 February, 2010 - 9:49am

Nice!

Are you keeping the specimen? Texas/SW galls are so poorly known, there's a good chance you're documenting something new here.

… Charley Eiseman, 6 February, 2010 - 9:56am

I still have it

I was considering releasing it but I'm definitely willing to keep it as a specimen, or send it to someone. I know nothing about preservation.

… John Schneider, 6 February, 2010 - 10:02am

Up to you

I have no idea who would be qualified and/or willing to identify cynipid specimens at this point. In the near future I'm planning on getting more serious about rearing gallmakers, leafminers, etc. and keeping the specimens, so eventually I should have a way of getting definite IDs. Since we have a proposed ID for this one now, it's possible to check the specimen against the original description for this species.

… Charley Eiseman, 6 February, 2010 - 10:33am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Charley Eiseman, 6 February, 2010 - 9:37am

Host plant

Do you know what species of oak this is (assuming it's oak)?

… Charley Eiseman, 31 January, 2010 - 6:36pm

Don't know

I was hoping someone here might know, lol.

… John Schneider, 31 January, 2010 - 6:49pm

Southern Live Oak?

Perhaps someone with better knowledge of east-Texas trees can chime in, but this looks like it could be Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): unlobed, revolute margin; rounded tip.

… John Pearson, 31 January, 2010 - 7:16pm

No expert, but . . .

if I had one of these, I'd cover the open side loosely with soft (bendable) paper and put the whole thing in a jar with paper toweling that could be misted once in a while to restore the moisture lost by opening the gall.

… R. Berg, 31 January, 2010 - 2:58pm

Good idea

Thanks!

… John Schneider, 31 January, 2010 - 3:00pm