Oak Apple Gall Wasp
Biorhiza pallida
This record describes Biorhiza pallida (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Size 2 to 3.5 mm, the sexual generation male and females wasps are a golden chestnut colour. The agamic wasps are larger, and wingless. Oak-apple galls are caused by the sexual gneration of wasps. They are large and spongy, pale green becoming cream/pink or red, and later brown; they persist as old galls over winter. Inside are multiple larval chambers. The agamic galls are on the roots, and thus rarely recorded. Use this for recording the wasp gall causer; provide detailed photographs. If it has emerged from a gall, photograph the gall. If you are recording the oak-apple gall, submit as Biorhiza pallida f. sexual Adults emerge from the Oak Apple Galls in June and July. Quite common and widespread throughout Britain. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Biorhiza pallida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biorhiza_pallida.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Cynipidae
- Genus
- Biorhiza
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Oak-apples
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge from the Oak Apple Galls in June and July.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Quite common and widespread throughout Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Biorhiza pallida. 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 Oak Apple Gall Wasp (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Apple Gall Wasp
What is Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
Oak Apple Gall Wasp (Biorhiza pallida) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Oak Apple Gall Wasp?
2 to 3.5 mm, the sexual generation male and females wasps are a golden chestnut colour. The agamic wasps are larger, and wingless.
Where is Oak Apple Gall Wasp found?
Habitat: Oak-apples
When is Oak Apple Gall Wasp active?
Oak Apple Gall Wasp: seasonal activity - Adults emerge from the Oak Apple Galls in June and July..