Xanthoteras radicola
This record describes Xanthoteras radicola (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Found at the base of Q. alba that was heavily infested with T. quercusforticorne, starting to rot which is consistent with the literature ... the galls that I found were seemingly slightly underground. There was a bit of leaf litter and other debris that I cleared out of the way, I would say all said and done this were an inch max under the soil, which was loose and sandy with a fair bit of fine organic matter. Nate Marchessault on iNaturalist.org
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Xanthoteras
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southeastern North America
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts: Quercus alba / Quercus chapmanii / Quercus stellata
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Xanthoteras radicola (Ashmead, 1896)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Xanthoteras radicola. 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 Xanthoteras radicola (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Elliott Gordon
Frequently Asked Questions About Xanthoteras radicola
What is Xanthoteras radicola?
Xanthoteras radicola is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Xanthoteras radicola found?
Range: southeastern North America
What does Xanthoteras radicola eat?
The diet of the Xanthoteras radicola includes Hosts: Quercus alba / Quercus chapmanii / Quercus stellata.