Updated resource
Ron Russo's updated guide is now available, and it adds one further creosote bush Asphondylia gall, an apical, scimitar-shaped gall provisionally labeled Asphondylia sp. and named "scimitar-leaf-gall midge". The description: "This midge induces flat-sided, sword-shaped, striated, monothalamous bud galls on creosote bush. These galls are green when fresh but turn brown with age. The laterally-flattened sides are furrowed with shallow ridges. The apex of the gall is usually obtuse, and the whole gall is arched. These distinctive galls are almost all on terminal buds and stand out from normal leaves. Adults have not been reared for identification to species level. Their behavior is likely similar to that of other Asphondylia adults."
Comments
Thanks for the heads up! Really looking forward to seeing it.
Thanks!
Wonder how this differs from A. apicata.
Me, too. The "flat-sided, sword-shape, striated" features are what he mentions. Base seems swollen in A. apicata rather than flat-sided. That looks like the main difference.
Anyone know more about this one as well?
https://joycegross.com/images.php?img=2222_1983
I'm still trying to get my head around some of the species, I think I'm misIDing A. discalis and it is actually this other genus.
Might be worth adding the creosote lac scale "gall" to the project too.
James, that one is listed in Russo as an unnamed species of Contarinia, clasping-leaf-gall midge. Pretty common locally at times. I couldn't add it to the project without a specific name, though.
ETA - nevermind - just saw it was labeled on the photo...
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