Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp
Amphibolips quercusinanis
This record describes Amphibolips quercusinanis (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forms detachable galls on oak leaves. Produced singly on under side of leaf, 18-32 mm in dia., light green, spotted. June. Globose, bright green with red spots, becoming yellowish-brown, slightly nippled, thin-shelled, glossy, the central larval cell supported by radiating fibers, diameter 1 to 1 1/2 inches.
Wikipedia reference for Amphibolips quercusinanis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibolips_quercusinanis.
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.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Weld lists only red oak ( Quercus rubra ) as a host; Felt lists both scarlet ( Q. coccinea ) and red.
Life History
Galls appear in May ; adults emerge from galls in June.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Quercusinanis is from Latin quercus, oak, and inanis, empty.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Amphibolips quercusinanis. 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 Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum
Frequently Asked Questions About Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp
What is Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp?
Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp (Amphibolips quercusinanis) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
What does Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp eat?
The diet of the Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp includes Weld lists only red oak ( Quercus rubra ) as a host; Felt lists both scarlet ( Q. coccinea ) and red..
What is the life cycle of a Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp?
Galls appear in May ; adults emerge from galls in June.