TYPES.—I have not been able to locate the Kieffer material. From Uclés, Spain; Q. Ilex; Pantel collector.
The present remarks on this insect are based on the original description.
Nothing seems to be known of this insect beyond the data accompanying Kieffer's original description of ilicis quoted in this paper. The insect characters mentioned in the description would not distinguish any variety of folii, and even the tuberculate surface of the gall would not of itself warrant the recognition of a distinct variety. Nevertheless I cannot accept Kieffer's (1903) later conclusion that ilicis is a synonym of pubescentis, for the hosts of the two, Q. Ilex and Q. pubescens, are as distinct as Q. alba and Q. virginiana in the eastern United States. From our American experience we should expect distinct, host-limited varieties from each of these oaks, and it seems unwise to bury this insect in synonomy until we have had an opportunity to compare good series of Q. Ilex insects from Central Spain with series of Q. pubescens insects from Austria.
In combining ilicis with the generic term Cynips, we find the name pre-occupied by Fabricius' ilicis (1798), and have consequently substituted the new name ilicicola.
Cynips folii variety atrifolii, new variety
agamic form
Figures 15, 96
FEMALE.—Entire body including the legs and antennae piceous to jet black, rarely with a little rufo-piceous; the mesonotum smooth, shining, and quite naked except around the rim and along the parapsidal grooves, with a fine reticulation in places especially anteriorly between the anterior parallel lines; anterior parallel and lateral lines obscure; scutellum as rugose anteriorly as posteriorly; the foveal groove at least in part rugose; the mesopleuron with a smooth and naked spot or band above the center; the tip of the second abscissa of the radius not at all enlarged; length 2.1 to 2.7 mm., conspicuously smaller than folii or pubescentis. Figure 96.
GALL.—Apparently similar to the galls of the variety folii, the dried galls soft and spongy, probably nearer 10. mm. in diameter. On the leaves of the Q. Robur group of oaks.
RANGE.—Denmark: Bromme (Hoffmeyer; types). Korsör (Hoffmeyer in Kinsey coll.).
Probably restricted to a more northern area in Europe near the northern limits of oaks. Figure 15.
