Succulent Oak Gall Wasp
Dryocosmus quercuspalustris
This record describes Dryocosmus quercuspalustris (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Galls are fleshy walled and hollow, except for the free-rolling cell about 2.5mm in diameter
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Dryocosmus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Canada and New England to IA and FLA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Red oaks
Life History
Larvae develop in spherical "roly-poly" galls (hollow with a small, free-lying cell inside containing the larva) on buds, leaves, and catkins of oaks in the red oak group.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Osten Sacken 1861 Quercus palustris is the Latin name of pin oak, a common host for this species.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Dryocosmus quercuspalustris. 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 Succulent Oak Gall Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Succulent Oak Gall Wasp
What is Succulent Oak Gall Wasp?
Succulent Oak Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus quercuspalustris) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Succulent Oak Gall Wasp?
Galls are 9-12mm
Where is Succulent Oak Gall Wasp found?
Range: Southern Canada and New England to IA and FLA
What does Succulent Oak Gall Wasp eat?
The diet of the Succulent Oak Gall Wasp includes Red oaks.
What is the life cycle of a Succulent Oak Gall Wasp?
Larvae develop in spherical roly-poly galls (hollow with a small, free-lying cell inside containing the larva) on buds, leaves, and catkins of oaks in the red oak group.