Callirhytis furva
This record describes Callirhytis furva (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forms galls on leaves of Quercus nigra and Q. paiustris ; probably on all the red oaks : Small cluster of globular galls, 3-4 mm, each covered with short, straight brown hairs, upper side, fall . Note from Charley Eiseman, 12/6/2009: The images in this section are not identified with 100% certainty, but this species is the closest match I have found for them. See comments under this image for more information.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Callirhytis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Galls drop from leaves in October; adults emerge in the second or third spring in late March.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Weld, 1952
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Callirhytis furva. 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 Callirhytis furva (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman