Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp
Amphibolips confluenta
This record describes Amphibolips confluenta (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults are small and dark cynipid wasps with oval, compressed abdomen. Larvae are small and globe-shaped. Galls are green at first, become tan and papery thin on the outside.
Wikipedia reference for Amphibolips confluenta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibolips_confluenta.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Amphibolips
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
They occur principally on red, black, and scarlet oaks.
Geographic Range
southern Canada to VA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: various oaks but mostly red, black, and scarlet
Life History
Galls, usually initiated during spring when young leaves are forming; sometimes they take over the entire leaf. The biology is not well known, but probably it has alternate generations on different host parts.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Amphibolips confluenta. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , ceiseman , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp
What is Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp (Amphibolips confluenta) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
Galls range from 12-50mm
How do you identify Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
Adults are small and dark cynipid wasps with oval, compressed abdomen. Larvae are small and globe-shaped.
Where is Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | They occur principally on red, black, and scarlet oaks. |
| Range | southern Canada to VA |
What does Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp eat?
The diet of the Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp includes various oaks but mostly red, black, and scarlet.
What is the life cycle of a Spongy Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
Galls, usually initiated during spring when young leaves are forming; sometimes they take over the entire leaf. The biology is not well known, but probably it has alternate generations on different host parts.