Disholcaspis rubens
This record describes Disholcaspis rubens (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This wasp induces round bullet galls on Quercus arizonica, fendleri, gambelli, oblongifolia, rugosa, toumeyi, and Quercus x undulata. The galls are yellow and red when young, and with age turn brown but often keep the red tinge. The gall walls are thick and succulent. Disholcaspis lacuna makes similar galls but they always occur in clusters of three or more, while D. rubens doesn't occur in groups of more than two .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Disholcaspis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Western USA, likely throughout host ranges.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Disholcaspis rubens. 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 Disholcaspis rubens (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua C'deBaca
Frequently Asked Questions About Disholcaspis rubens
What is Disholcaspis rubens?
Disholcaspis rubens is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Disholcaspis rubens?
This wasp induces round bullet galls on Quercus arizonica, fendleri, gambelli, oblongifolia, rugosa, toumeyi, and Quercus x undulata. The galls are yellow and red when young, and with age turn brown but often keep the red tinge. The gall walls are thick and succulent. Disholcaspis lacuna makes similar galls but they always occur in clusters of three or more, while D. rubens doesn't occur in groups of more than two .
Where is Disholcaspis rubens found?
Range: Western USA, likely throughout host ranges.