Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp
Callirhytis turnerii
This record describes Callirhytis turnerii (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Felt says: Globular, wooly gall, diameter 1/2 inch, on water oak, gall wasp. Weld describes in a key, summarized here: Quercus nigra - Water Oak - > Flower galls - > Callirhytis turnerii (Ashm.). 484. Woolly, globular, as large as a cherry, consisting of several two-celled kernels. Adults out Apr. 29. type host. Fla. (I do not know what 484" indicates. It could be a page number from Ashmead's publications, but I do not see it there.)
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.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern/central US (Gallformers)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Hosts reported to be Water Oak, Quercus nigra , and Willow Oak, Quercus phellos (Gallformers).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Callirhytis turnerii. 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 Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp
What is Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp?
Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp (Callirhytis turnerii) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp?
gall ~1.5 cm
How do you identify Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp?
Felt says: Globular, wooly gall, diameter 1/2 inch, on water oak, gall wasp. Weld describes in a key, summarized here: Quercus nigra - Water Oak - > Flower galls - > Callirhytis turnerii (Ashm.). 484. Woolly, globular, as large as a cherry, consisting of several two-celled kernels. Adults out Apr. 29. type host. Fla. (I do not know what 484" indicates. It could be a page number from Ashmead's publications, but I do not see it there.)
Where is Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp found?
Range: Southeastern/central US (Gallformers)
What is the life cycle of a Water Oak Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp?
Hosts reported to be Water Oak, Quercus nigra , and Willow Oak, Quercus phellos (Gallformers).