Ribbed bud gall
Callirhytis quercusgemmaria
This record describes Callirhytis quercusgemmaria (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Causes detachable stem galls on all the red oaks. Typical galls look like this; they secrete honeydew and drop to the ground when mature: Galls containing guests do not drop. They enlarge and become woody, remaining on the tree over the winter. These galls were once described as an Andricus but the type specimens were all Synergus (inquilines). Weld's photo of these guest-containing galls looks much like the one below, but an adult Callirhytis emerged from these.
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.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Callirhytis quercusgemmaria. 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 Ribbed bud gall (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Marci Hess