Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp
Hemadas nubilipennis
This record describes Hemadas nubilipennis (species). Recorded family: Ormyridae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Causes stem galls on blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.), in which the larvae develop. Adults emerge in the spring. Several other chalcidoids have been reared from these galls, including Ormyrus vacciniicola .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Chalcidoidea
- Family
- Ormyridae
- Genus
- Hemadas
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (NS-ON to FL-IN)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A gallformer on Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae). Loxaulus vaccinii (Cynipidae) & Colias spp. (Pieridae) on Vaccinium have been cited as hosts , but sources are from prior to 1918.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hemadas nubilipennis (Ashmead 1887)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hemadas nubilipennis. 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 Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Vox Sciurorum , v belov , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp
What is Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp?
Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp (Hemadas nubilipennis) is a species in the family Ormyridae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp found?
Range: e. NA (NS-ON to FL-IN)
What does Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp eat?
The diet of the Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp includes A gallformer on Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae). Loxaulus vaccinii (Cynipidae) & Colias spp. (Pieridae) on Vaccinium have been cited as hosts , but sources are from prior to 1918..