Bedeguar Gall Wasp
Diplolepis rosae
This record describes Diplolepis rosae (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The female insects are about 4 mm long; parts of their abdomens and legs are an amber/chestnut colour, while the rest of the body is black. The male (length of about 3 mm) is very rare. It is black and its legs are bi-coloured. The gall is more likely to be seen than the adult wasp. This develops on a bud, into a large mass of long stiff branched hairs, green at first then red, and can be very numerous. There are usually several chambers inside, and there are usually inquilines or parasitoids. Occasionally small galls develop on leaves or hips. The rare Diplolepis mayri has similar galls, but with stiff unbranched spines; it has not been recorded in VC55. Anywhere that the Dog-rose plant is found. A Bedeguar Gall (also known as Robin's Pincushion) is not the product of a single larva but a group of larvae, each residing in their own chamber within the gall. Diplolepis rosae overwinters in the gall emerging as adult wasps in spring. The adult wasps reproduce not needing males i.e. parthenogenetically.
Wikipedia reference for Diplolepis rosae: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplolepis_rosae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Rose Gall Wasps)
- Genus
- Diplolepis (Rose Gall Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Anywhere that the Dog-rose plant is found.
Seasonal Activity
From May onwards.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
A Bedeguar Gall (also known as Robin's Pincushion) is not the product of a single larva but a group of larvae, each residing in their own chamber within the gall.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common throughout Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Diplolepis rosae. 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 Bedeguar Gall Wasp (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Bedeguar Gall Wasp
What is Bedeguar Gall Wasp?
Bedeguar Gall Wasp (Diplolepis rosae) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Bedeguar Gall Wasp?
of about 3 mm) is very rare. It is black and its legs are bi-coloured.
Where is Bedeguar Gall Wasp found?
Habitat: Anywhere that the Dog-rose plant is found.
When is Bedeguar Gall Wasp active?
Bedeguar Gall Wasp: seasonal activity - From May onwards..
What is the life cycle of a Bedeguar Gall Wasp?
A Bedeguar Gall (also known as Robin's Pincushion) is not the product of a single larva but a group of larvae, each residing in their own chamber within the gall.