Description of the sexual generation of Dryocosmus destefanii (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) and disclosure of its life cycle
Giuliano Cerasa, Gabriella Lo Verde, Virgilio Caleca, Bruno Massa, James A. Nicholls, George Melika
Abstract
The sexual generation of Dryocosmus destefanii Cerasa Melika, 2018 that emerges from galls on Q. suber L. in Italy is described for the first time, establishing its heterogonic life cycle. We provide observations on its distribution, illustration of adults and galls and information on its biology as supported by morphological and molecular data. An illustrated identification key to Western Palaearctic Dryocosmus species is also given.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyWestern PalaearcticHymenopteraKey (lock)Quercus suberTaxonomy (biology)Identification (biology)BotanyZoologyEcologyEvolutionary biologyCorkHymenoptera taxonomy and phylogenyResearch on scale insectsInsect-Plant Interactions and Control