Philonix fulvicollis
This record describes Philonix fulvicollis (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Causes galls on the undersides of leaves in the white oak group: globular, 5-8 mm, covered with gray felt, one-celled. Galls with parasitoids or inquilines may be smaller, more sparsely haired, and less spherical; see examples (including the wasps that emerged from them) here .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Philonix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Quercus alba, Q. bicolor, Q. prinoides, Q. macrocarpa, Q. muehlenbergii
Life History
Galls are deciduous and begin dropping off the leaves before the end of July; some do not fall until October. Adults emerge in November and December, distributed over three seasons beginning the first fall.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Philonix fulvicollis. 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 Philonix fulvicollis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Philonix fulvicollis
What is Philonix fulvicollis?
Philonix fulvicollis is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
What does Philonix fulvicollis eat?
The diet of the Philonix fulvicollis includes Quercus alba, Q. bicolor, Q. prinoides, Q. macrocarpa, Q. muehlenbergii.
What is the life cycle of a Philonix fulvicollis?
Galls are deciduous and begin dropping off the leaves before the end of July; some do not fall until October. Adults emerge in November and December, distributed over three seasons beginning the first fall.