| Amphibolips nubilipennis | |
|---|---|
| | |
| The translucent oak gall, induced by the sexual generation of Amphibolips nubilipennis. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Cynipidae |
| Genus: | Amphibolips |
| Species: | A. nubilipennis |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphibolips nubilipennis Harris, 1841 | |
Amphibolips nubilipennis, known generally as the translucent oak gall wasp, is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Its range includes Ontario, Quebec, and much of the eastern United States. [1] [2] Hosts include Quercus buckleyi , Quercus coccinea , Quercus falcata , Quercus ilicifolia , Quercus imbricaria, Quercus marilandica , Quercus rubra , and Quercus velutina . [3]
The translucent oak gall is induced by the sexual generation of Amphibolips nubilipennis. [3] This gall is succulent and accumulates high concentration of malic acid causing a low pH of gall tissues. The extreme acidity of the translucent oak gall tissues has been proposed to represent a defensive strategy against parasitoid wasps. [4]