Andricus reticulatus
This record describes Andricus reticulatus (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Induces integral petiole galls on Quercus ajoensis, arizonica, dumosa, engelmannii, gambelli, oblongifolia, rugosa, toumeyi, and turbinella. These galls are brown and covered rather sparsely with short white hairs. They consume the leaf petiole and sometimes the whole leaf, leaving nothing but the edges sticking out of the gall. Superficially similar to galls of Andricus pilularis, but those don't occur on leaf petioles and are much smaller,.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Andricus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Likely throughout host ranges.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andricus reticulatus. 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 Andricus reticulatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua C'deBaca
Frequently Asked Questions About Andricus reticulatus
What is Andricus reticulatus?
Andricus reticulatus is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Andricus reticulatus?
Induces integral petiole galls on Quercus ajoensis, arizonica, dumosa, engelmannii, gambelli, oblongifolia, rugosa, toumeyi, and turbinella. These galls are brown and covered rather sparsely with short white hairs. They consume the leaf petiole and sometimes the whole leaf, leaving nothing but the edges sticking out of the gall. Superficially similar to galls of Andricus pilularis, but those don't occur on leaf petioles and are much smaller,.
Where is Andricus reticulatus found?
Range: Likely throughout host ranges.