Atrusca capronae
This record describes Atrusca capronae (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Galls have thin, pale outer layer with purple or red stripes. Larval chamber floats in the center of the gall, attached to out layer by many radiating fibers.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Atrusca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Type specimen from Camp Creek, AZ.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae create detachable galls on undersides of leaves of Quercus turbinella .
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Atrusca capronae. 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 Atrusca capronae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross
Frequently Asked Questions About Atrusca capronae
What is Atrusca capronae?
Atrusca capronae is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Atrusca capronae?
Galls have thin, pale outer layer with purple or red stripes. Larval chamber floats in the center of the gall, attached to out layer by many radiating fibers.
Where is Atrusca capronae found?
Range: Type specimen from Camp Creek, AZ.
What is the life cycle of a Atrusca capronae?
Larvae create detachable galls on undersides of leaves of Quercus turbinella .