Aulacidea hieracii
This record describes Aulacidea hieracii (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The larvae of the Cynipid gall wasp Aulacidea hieracii gall the stems of Hieracium species. The galls are rounded swellings up to 4 cm long. The part of the plant above the gall is usually strongly suppressed. The gall may be smooth, but can also be covered by erect white hairs, it is green and succulent at first becoming hard and brown later. Each gall contains several chambers each containing a whitish larva or a pupa. It is a unisexual species, with males rare or absent; the females reproduce by parthenogenesis Photographs of the gall required. Please state the host plant – i.e. Hieracium sp. Wherever the host plants ( Hieracium species) grow. Univoltine, hibernation and pupation in the gall. Widespread, but not well recorded in Britain. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Cynipidae
- Genus
- Aulacidea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wherever the host plants (
Seasonal Activity
Galls: summer and autumn.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Univoltine, hibernation and pupation in the gall.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread, but not well recorded in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aulacidea hieracii. 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 Aulacidea hieracii (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Aulacidea hieracii
What is Aulacidea hieracii?
Aulacidea hieracii is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Aulacidea hieracii found?
Habitat: Wherever the host plants (
When is Aulacidea hieracii active?
Aulacidea hieracii: seasonal activity - Galls: summer and autumn..
What is the life cycle of a Aulacidea hieracii?
Univoltine, hibernation and pupation in the gall.