Red Cone Gall Wasp
Feron kingi
This record describes Feron kingi (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Galls normally cause only minor damage to the host plant
Wikipedia reference for Feron kingi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feron_kingi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Feron
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Quercus lobata , the Valley Oak (larvae).
Life History
The adult female lays her eggs inside the leaves of the host tree. They hatch and start eating the leaf, which causes the plant to form a hard structure in order to wall off the irritant. This gall is just what the insect needs, though: more plant tissues to eat. The larva pupates and develops into an adult wasp before it emerges.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Feron kingi. 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 Red Cone Gall Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Cone Gall Wasp
What is Red Cone Gall Wasp?
Red Cone Gall Wasp (Feron kingi) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
What does Red Cone Gall Wasp eat?
The diet of the Red Cone Gall Wasp includes Quercus lobata , the Valley Oak (larvae)..
What is the life cycle of a Red Cone Gall Wasp?
The adult female lays her eggs inside the leaves of the host tree. They hatch and start eating the leaf, which causes the plant to form a hard structure in order to wall off the irritant. This gall is just what the insect needs, though: more plant tissues to eat. The larva pupates and develops into an adult wasp before it emerges.