Aulacidea podagrae
This record describes Aulacidea podagrae (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
best recognized by galls rather than adult wasps. Galls occur on Lactuca canadensis on the stems.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Aulacideini
- Genus
- Aulacidea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern and midwestern US states (DC, IL, KS, NY, OH, PA, VA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Induces galls in stems of Lactuca canadensis
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aulacidea podagrae (Bassett 1890)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aulacidea podagrae. 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 podagrae (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Louis Nastasi; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Aulacidea podagrae
What is Aulacidea podagrae?
Aulacidea podagrae is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Aulacidea podagrae?
best recognized by galls rather than adult wasps. Galls occur on Lactuca canadensis on the stems.
Where is Aulacidea podagrae found?
Range: Eastern and midwestern US states (DC, IL, KS, NY, OH, PA, VA)
What does Aulacidea podagrae eat?
The diet of the Aulacidea podagrae includes Induces galls in stems of Lactuca canadensis.