Small Oak Apple Gall Wasp
Amphibolips quercusostensackenii
This record describes Amphibolips quercusostensackenii (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Develops in galls on leaves of the red oak group: Small oak apple, 7-9 mm, projecting on both sides of leaf, larval cell supported by fibers. Weld lists Q. coccinea, velutina, palustris, falcata, and imbicaria as hosts. Globose, somewhat oblong, hollow, pale greenish-yellow, with filament supported cell, diameter 1/3 inch, about 1/4 showing on upper surface of leaf, on pin, scarlet, shingle and scrub oaks, spring.
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
Life History
Emerged July 8-15 from galls collected in Chicago. Adults emerge June-July
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Bassett
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Amphibolips quercusostensackenii. 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 Small Oak Apple Gall Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban