Andricus tomentosus (Trotter, 1901)

Host plants. Israel: Q. boissieri . Elsewhere: several oak species from section Quercus .

Life history. Known only from the bud galls of the asexual generation, which develop on lateral or terminal buds. They are conical, 14–18 mm long, brown with a velvety cover and single-chambered, widest at base, thinner at mid-part, and widen again apically (Fig. 25).

Phenology. In Israel, young galls were found in November but no adults were reared. In Europe the larvae overwinter for 1–2 years inside the galls and adults emerge in March-April.

Distribution. Israel: Rare on Mt. Hermon at 1780 m.a.s.l., Allone HaBashan, Tel Hazeqa (only on one tree but in large numbers), Mt. Meron, Pa’ar cave. Elsewhere: Locally common in Southern and Eastern Europe, Turkey and Iran.