Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2025.34.25
Diversity of the gall-inducing Cynipidae on Quercus virgiliana in Central Dalmatia, Croatia
Sanja Puljas
orcid.org/0000-0003-1435-5446
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Juraj Kamenjarin
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Leon Bošnjak
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Ivica Šamanić
orcid.org/0000-0001-8807-8184
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The cynipid gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) are among the main insects associated with oaks of the genus Quercus. They form galls in the tissues of the host plant as specialized structures that provide shelter and nutrients for the developing insect larvae. The aim of this study was to determine the oak gall wasp community of the species Quercus virgiliana. The galls were collected from oak buds, leaves, cupulae and catkins in the Lepenica region (Central Dalmatia) in the years 2023-2024. The collected galls were dissected and observed under a stereomicroscope to examine larvae, pupae and/or adult wasps and galls. With 17 recorded species, Andricus is by far the largest genus, followed by Neuroterus with 3 species, Cynips with 2 species and a single species from the genus Biorhiza. We identified 18 types of galls, with bud galls being the most common and conspicuous, followed by leaf, cupula and catkin galls.
Keywords
Cynipidae; gall wasps; Quercus virgiliana; gall morphology
Hrčak ID:
336256
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2025.
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