Neuroterus


Neuroterus is a genus of gall wasps that induce galls on oaks in which the wasp larvae live and feed. Some species produce galls that fall off the host plant and 'jump' along the ground due to the movement of the larvae within.
Neuroterus saltatorius—formerly named Cynips saltatorius—produces such Mexican jumping bean-like jumping galls about 1 to 1.5 mm in diameter.
This genus was first described by Theodor Hartig in 1840. Like most oak gall wasps, Neuroterus species have two generations each year, one sexual and one asexual. The galls induced by each generation of the same species are usually produced on different parts of the host plant.
Recent studies indicate this genus is poly- or paraphyletic, thus many species will likely be moved to other genera.
Species include: