Synergus variabilis Mayr, 1872

Host plant: Israel: Q. ithaburensis . Elsewhere: Q. cerris .

Host gall wasp: Israel: Aphelonyx persica . Elsewhere: several species in the genera Andricus, Aphelonyx, Dryocosmus and Pseudoneuroterus (Melika 2006b) .

(Invaded) gall and biology: Known only from the sexual generation, which develops in Israel in bud galls of Aphelonyx persica (Fig. 37) and causes substantial enlargement of the gall up to 30 mm in diameter. Invaded galls are light green and fleshy when young (Fig. 39), turning pale brown and woody when mature (Fig. 40). They appear in August and adults emerge in January-February. No adults of the original gall inducer emerged from invaded galls.

Distribution: Israel: Nahal Rakefet, Bet Keshet Forest, Hosha’aya, Alonim, Tiv’on, HaSharon Forest. Elsewhere: From Great Britain to Russia.