SPATHEGASTER TRICOLOR. 133 



Spathegaster tricolor, Hartig. 

 (Plate LIV.) 



Neuroterus tricolor, Mayr, Cameron; Spathecjaster tricolor, 

 Scheuck, Mayr, Adler, Liclit., Fitch, Marshall, Miiller ; S. varius, 

 Scheuck. 



English name of gall. — " The Hairy Pea Grall." 



Position of gall. — On the under- surface of the leaf. 



Manner of growth. — Pilose, sessile, globular, succulent, con- 

 glomerated, glistening. 



Colours. — White, very pale green, pale yellow. 



Average dimensions of a mature specimen. — Grirth, 18 mm. 



May be sought during the months of May to August. 



Growth is complete by the end of June. 



The typical condition of the gall is imilocular and imilarval. 



The larva pupates in the gall. The imago emerges during 

 Julv. 



Parasite, No. 44. Inquilines, Nos. 127, 130, 139. 



Alternate agamic generation: Neuroterus fu^nijiennis, 'Kartig. 



This gall is very distinctive and easily recognised. 

 It occurs more frequently on scrub-oak bushes, and 

 stunted, and hedge-trimmed growth along road-side 

 banks, than in any other situation. In some districts 

 it is exceedingly abundant. 



It occurs in clusters of as many as 15-20 on one 

 leaf, and many will coalesce. 



Aggregations of this species are sometimes so large 

 that a leaf, or several leaves on the same twig, will be 

 entirely transformed into gall masses, as shown in the 

 plate. 



When solitary the gall is situated on the mid-rib or 

 its offshoots. When first noticeable it is like a tiny 

 hairy elevation of the leaf ; as growth proceeds the 

 hairs separate and elongate, some attaining a length 

 of 5-7 mm. They are slender, vitreous and iridescent ; 

 at first pink, then crimson, ultimately turning brown, 

 losing all colour, or falling off. 



The gall has an acid flavour. 



