A Gall-making Cynipid Fly in Jamaica

Abstract

THE Hymenopterous gall-makers of the family Cynipidæ, though widely distributed over the earth, have seemed to be totally absent from the West Indies, somewhat to the astonishment of entomologists. However, in February, 1892, Mr. W. Harris sent me a gall on Bidens reptans, collected by Mr. Nicholls at Cinchona, Jamaica. The gall was a large oblong swelling attached to the stem of the plant, and contained many cells. Unfortunately, I was not able to breed the flies, but I secured some immature fragments, which sufficed to show that they were Cynipidæ. Mr. W. H. Ashmead, to whom I submitted my notes and sketches, is of opinion that the genus must be Aulax or allied thereto. Although, it is impossible to determine the species, it seems desirable to call attention to the occurrence of this gall-maker in Jamaica; and perhaps one of your West Indian readers will be able to supply us with complete information.