Determinants and scaling of body size and fecundity in the sexual and asexual generations of the gall former Belonocnema treatae (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

Belonocnema treatae exhibits cyclical parthenogenesis on its host plant, Quercus fusiformis. Temporally segregated sexual and asexual generations develop in galls located on roots and leaves respectively. We examined immediate correlates of body size in each generation: uni-locular leaf gall diameter for the asexual generation, and number of siblings in multi-locular root galls of the sexual generation. We then determined the relationship between body size and potential fecundity via dissection for females of each generation. These data allowed us to test whether a) fecundity can be predicted based on gall characteristics (gall diameter for the asexual generation and number of sibling within galls in the sexual generation and b) the body size - fecundity relationship scales equivalently between generations. Results of this research contribute to understanding local adaptation in this species and life cycle evolution in cynipids.