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same gall from a previous observation (should add link later, maybe I will). Is this wasp returning to a gall it made? If so, why? It doesn't look like it's emerging. Is it interacting with the gall of another insect- parasitizing it, maybe? I don't know a lot about cynipoid behavior- any insight is welcome!

Q. rubra

Initially collected as a C. rubida specimen. Dissection of several galls revealed chambers absolutely packed with larvae - possible inquilines? Tentatively identified as Ceroptresini by @moneykittens. Larvae preserved in 95% etOH, attempting to rear adult specimens.

1 inquiline emerged from Acraspis erinacae collected on Quercus alba on 10/14/2022 (cup#190, tree#269) <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

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2023-05-10T11:32:57

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These were all past flowering. Another example of the tall form of entire-leaved Silphium with ~dense leaves all the way up the stem that are found in riparian/floodplain habitats in the Hill Country. In the past, I had called these S. asteriscus though I honestly have no idea now. They are quite distinct from the upland forms I've seen in the Hill Country (S. gracile?) and those growing in sandier soils on the coastal plain (S. radula?).

What's going on here? Potential hybrid of S. laciniatum and S. perfoliatum, or just strange S. perfoliatum? Very deeply cleft leaves that are not connate. Lower cauline leaves only slightly clasping with long petioles. The stems are square at the base and round more than 18" above the ground, and pubescent where square only. The one stem with lower leaves alternate instead of opposite has a round stem throughout. The underside of the midvein is pubescent. The second to last picture is me holding a flower of nearby S. perfoliatum (left) and S. laciniatum (right) against this plant's flower (top), showing the larger size.

S. laciniatum and S. perfoliatum hybrid or just weird S. perfoliatum? Further notes in @trevorzook 's description.

Last photo with three flowers in the hand compare nearby S. perfoliatum (bottom right) with S. laciniatum (top right) and the plant in question (left)

Alternate leaves; basal leaves rounded/cuneate- not cordate; ray flowers showing 11 on photo but likely one missing; other similar Silphiums have opposite or whorled leaves. S. Radula is west of the Mississippi River