Urchin Gall Wasp
Antron quercusechinus
This record describes Antron quercusechinus (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
These wasps produce summer/fall leaf galls resembling spiny red or pink sea urchins. Galls are on blue and scrub oaks. Adults emerge in November or soon after, and parthenogenic females lay eggs in leaf buds. A bisexual generation (males and females) develop galls in the buds; these galls are very different looking from the summer galls and harder to find -- they appear as swollen buds.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Antron
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Antron quercusechinus. 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 Urchin Gall Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross; Additional contributions by ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Urchin Gall Wasp
What is Urchin Gall Wasp?
Urchin Gall Wasp (Antron quercusechinus) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Urchin Gall Wasp?
Up to 10mm across.
How do you identify Urchin Gall Wasp?
These wasps produce summer/fall leaf galls resembling spiny red or pink sea urchins. Galls are on blue and scrub oaks. Adults emerge in November or soon after, and parthenogenic females lay eggs in leaf buds. A bisexual generation (males and females) develop galls in the buds; these galls are very different looking from the summer galls and harder to find -- they appear as swollen buds.