Three species of gall wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), new to Suffolk

THREE SPECIES OF CALL WASP (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae), NEW TO SUFFOLK J. P. B O W D R Y With the exception of H e a t h c o t e (1968), Simpson (1977) and a f e w short n o t e s by o t h e r a u t h o r s , little has been written on the Cynipidae of Suffolk since the publication of The Hymenoptera of Suffolk (Morley, 1935). T h r e e species, believed to b e new t o the C o u n t y , are here a d d e d to this list. All a r e f r o m Vice C o u n t y 25, East Suffolk.

Phanacis caulicola ( H e d i c k e ) causes internal galls in the stem of Picris echioides L. (Bristly O x t o n g u e ) (Fig. 1). T h e species was described as n e w to science in 1939, f r o m material collected at B u r n h a m - o n - C r o u c h in Essex in 1934. B e t w e e n that d a t e and 1991 only o n e o t h e r locality was k n o w n , at Pitsea, also in Essex. A m o r e detailed history of the species is given in B o w d r e y (1992). O n t h e 12.x. 1991 several galls of P. caulicola were f o u n d on t h e Suffolk b a n k of t h e River Stour at Fiatford (TM0732) and adults were r e a r e d in J u n e 1992.

Aulacidea pilosellae ( K i e f f e r ) galls t h e midrib of leaves of Hieracium pilosella ( M o u s e - e a r H a w k w e e d ) (Fig. 2). O n 18.vii.1992, whilst searching along the u p p e r s h o r e at Dunwich (TL4768), several galls caused by this species w e r e f o u n d on p a t c h e s of H.pilosella growing on bare a r e a s on the lower slopes of the cliff.

A s is usually the case, galls were present at a very low density (Niblett, 1950).

T h e agamic g e n e r a t i o n of Andricus corruptrix (Schlechtendal) affects the b u d s of Quercus robur L. ( P e d u n c u l a t e O a k ) , producing an apically im-

FIGURE 1 (left) Stem of Picris echioides L. showing exit holes and internal galls of Phanacis caulicola (Hedicke).

FIGURE 2 (right) Leaf of Hieracium pilosella L. with three midrib galls of Aulacidea pilosellae (Kieffer).

FIGURE 3 (centre) Bud of Quercus robur L. galled by Andricus corruptrix (Schlechtendal). SCALE BAR = 4mm.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 29 (1993)

T H R E E SPECIES O F GALL W A S P N E W TO SUFFOLK

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pressed, two to five lobed gall. It is regarded as rare (Eady & Quinlan, 1963).

Three galls of this species (Fig. 3) were found on a mature Q. robur overhanging the river at Alton Wharf, Holbrook Bay (TM 1734) on 19.ii.1993.

As all three host plants mentioned above are common or frequent in Suffolk (Simpson, 1982) it is likely that these galls could well occur elsewhere in the county.

References Bowdrey, J. P. (1992). Notes on Phanacis (Aylax) caulicola (Hedicke) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Cecidology, 7, 42-6.

Eady, R. D. & Quinlan, J. (1963). Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea. London, Royal Entomological Society. (Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects 8(la)).

Heathcote, G . D. (1968). Plant galls. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 14, 115-119.

Morley, C. (1935). The Hymenoptera of Suffolk Part 1. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 3, 17-52.

Niblett, M. (1950). The Cynipid Genus Aulacidea (Hymenoptera). London Naturalist No.30, 8 - 1 0 .

Simpson, F. W. (1977). Oak galls. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 17, 217.

Simpson, F. W. (1982). Simpson's Flora of Suffolk. Ipswich: Suffolk Naturalists' Society.

J. P. Bowdrey, 12 Sparrows Corner, Harwich Road, Great Oakley, Essex C 0 1 2 5 A A

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 29 (1993)

Plate 2: Dolichovespula media. This wasp from Continental Europe was first recorded from Suffolk in 1992 and is now firmly established.