Kinsey: The Genus Neuroterus 
91 
very little in structure. I do not see any differences between 
the insects of the two except in the larger size which is 
almost always correlated with agamic reproduction of Cyn- 
ipidse. The close similarity of the alternates is one reason 
for placing contortus in this genus. This is the only root gall 
yet known in Neuroterus, but the gall is sometimes on stems 
at the crown of the tree. 
Weld records a specimen of this species obtained from 
Palestine, Texas, on Quercus stellata. It may belong to a 
distinct host variety. Probably still other white oaks of 
eastern Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma are hosts for this 
species. 
In the original description contortus was considered to 
have abbreviated wings, and was placed in the genus 
Xystoteras with the remark : 'Tf wings are considered normal, 
it would run in the key to Neuroterus, to which it is not 
closely related”. The wings, however, are quite normal in 
length, as Dr. Patterson’s large bred series clearly shows. 
The insect is not nearly as distinct from typical Dolicho- 
strophus as are species of any of the other subgenera. It 
is, admittedly, the most distinct in color, but a generic separa- 
tion can hardly be warranted on such a character. There 
is almost as much color difference between northern and south- 
ern European varieties of single species of Neuroterus. The 
much shortened radial cell is distinctive. The weak tarsal 
claw is peculiar to this species in this subgenus but most 
of the subgenus Spathegaster has a well developed tooth on 
the claw, and it is probable that such a condition is evolving 
at the ends of several of the diverse lines of evolution within 
the genus. 
Neuroterus contortus agamic form contortus (Weld) 
Xystoteras contorta Weld, 1921, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., LIX, p. 209, pi. 
30, figs. 10, 11. 
FEMALE. — Differs from the female of the bisexual form only in 
having the abdomen much larger, as long as the head and thorax to- 
gether, and higher than long, the wings in consequence appearing shorter ; 
averaging a little larger, from 1.7-1. 8 mm. 
GALL. — Not greatly different from the gall of the other generation, 
somewhat larger and more smooth, probably due to the leaves having 
worn off (fig. 59). 
