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SYSTEMATIC SECTION
• Nomenclature for Cynipidae follows Fitton et al. (1978) with additions and revisions
(Nieves-Aldrey, 1994) and for plants Kent (1992)
• Distributional data and voucher specimens are held at Colchester Museums Natural History
department.
• County statuses arc based on Harvey (1998) with modifications.
• Descriptions of the adult insect are from Eady and Quinlan (1963) with additions.
The adult insect is small, fore wing length from 2-5mm and drably coloured, although some
species have reddish or yellow markings. The wings are generally clear but may be infuscated
and the venation is reduced. The male has 14 or 15 antennal segments, the female 13-14.
For ease of identification, adults are best reared from the gall although they may be encountered
by sweeping, beating or in malaise traps. When disturbed Uley tend to drop to the ground rather
than fly.
HYMENOPTERA
CYNIPIDAE
CYNIP INAE
AULACIDEINI
Genus PHANACIS Foerster, 1860
Gall wasps of the genus Phanacis arc characterized by a reticulate mcsoplcuron and a pronotum
usually without pits (but rarely with small indistinct ones).
Galls arc induced in various members of the Compositae. Six species arc listed for Britain
(Fitton et al. 1978) but of these, three are considered to be doubtfully native. All of the three
remaining species arc present in Essex.
Phanacis caulicola (Hedicke, 1939) 1km.sq records: 50 Common
Host plant: Picris echioides L, Bristly ox-tongue.
Part galled: stem
This species has a strong association with the Comity as it was first named as new to science by
Hedicke from material collected at Burnham-on-Crouch in south Essex by S.Wakely (Niblett,
1939).Galls were found in 1956 at Benfleet (Niblett, 1956) and the species docs then not appear
to have been recorded again in Essex, or indeed the British Isles, until 1991 when galls were
collected at Great Holland Pit N.R. (Bowdrey, 1992). Since then the species has been found to
be widespread, at least in the east of the county. It is now known also from Kent, Middlesex,
Suffolk and Sussex.
The species has been seriously under-recorded in the past, no doubt due to the fact that the gall
chambers are situated in the pith of the stem and cause no distortion externally. They are easily-
found, however, by splitting the stem lengtliways to reveal the 2mm. long elliptical cells with
their yellow/orange larvae within.
No particular habitat association is apparent, the species occurring wherever the host plant is
found, but the gall is perhaps commoner in ruderal habitats.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)