Knopper Oak Gall Wasp
Andricus quercuscalicis
This record describes Andricus quercuscalicis (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A Cynipid gall wasp that causes common and familiar Knopper galls to form on the acorns of various oaks. [Note that parasitoids and inquilines may also emerge from knopper galls] There are many similar species of gall wasp A recent introduction to the British Isles, first arriving in the 1960s and now found throughout England, Wales and as far north as Scotland.
Wikipedia reference for Andricus quercuscalicis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andricus_quercuscalicis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Cynipidae
- Genus
- Andricus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Knopper galls on oak
Additional species information
Recorded status
A recent introduction to the British Isles, first arriving in the 1960s and now found throughout England, Wales and as far north as Scotland.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andricus quercuscalicis. 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.
