Disholcaspis spissa
This record describes Disholcaspis spissa (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Induces cylindrical-globular stem galls on Quercus arizonica, fendleri, havardii, oblongifolia, rugosa, and turbinella. The galls almost always are found in groups of 4 or more. They can rarely become coalesced and turn into a large clump. They have a mealy texture and are usually brown. They are visually similar to Disholcaspis edura but have a more cylindrical rather than uniformly globular shape. Weld 1957 wrote that the distal area of these galls are not cavernous as it is in D. edura. This species and D. edura are very similar genetically, and may end up getting lumped into the same species.
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.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Disholcaspis spissa. 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 spissa (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua C'deBaca