Disholcaspis laetae, n. sp.
Agamic form

Gall: Basically but not closely similar to that of D perniciosa. Quite globular in shape, with a drawn-out, nipple-shaped tip; color light tan yellow to rose and tan brown, weathering darker; the surface smooth and shining, entirely without scurf; up to 9 mm in diameter; occurring as scattered galls on stems, or in small, compact clusters of usually 3 to 5 galls.

Host: Quercus laeta

Range: San Luis Potosi: Rio Verde. Probably restricted to a portion of the Eastern Sierra which includes the eastern mountains of San Luis Potosi.

Life history: Adults Feb 15

This species is a member of the same complex as the American species Disholcaspis perniciosa. It is a very close relative of D potosina which is described below. Laetae and potosina occur together in the Eastern Sierra of San Luis Potosi; but laetae occurs on the small tree, Q laeta, and D potosina occurs on scrub oaks of the Q potosina group. The galls of laetae are globular to breast-shaped, and they occur only as scattered galls or in compact clusters of 3 to 5 galls; the galls of potosina are more ellipsoidal or compressed cushion-shaped, and they occur in clusters of 12 to 20 galls continuously distributed along the stem.

Laetae is still closer to D purlans which occurs in the not distant Sierra of northern Hidalgo. The galls of the two are very nearly alike.

- Alfred Kinsey: (1937) New Mexican gall wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae)^©