A new <i>Aulacidea</i> species (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) from Cabo de Gata Nature Park (Spain) inducing galls on <i>Launaea arborescens</i>, including description of its terminal instar larva

Abstract

A new species of Aulacidea Ashmead, A. martae n. sp. (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) is described from Cabo de Gata Nature Park (South-Eastern Spain). The new species induces galls on stems of Launaea arborescens (Asteraceae) and represents the first cynipid species recorded from this plant, growing in desertic areas of south Spain. The terminal instar larva and the gall are also described. A. martae is closely related to A. laurae Nieves-Aldrey, a species inducing galls in achenes of Podospermum laciniatum (Asteraceae). Characters separating adults, larvae and galls of both species are given and life-cycle data of the new species are provided.