Gall Wasp - Types

Types

Most species of gall wasp live as gall-formers on oaks. One of the most well-known of these oak gall wasps is the common oak gall wasp (Cynips quercusfolii), which induces characteristic two-centimeter in diameter, spherical galls on the underside of oak leaves.

  • Diplolepis rosae, Rose bedeguar gall.
  • Andricus fecundatrix parthenogenetic generation, Oak artichoke gall.
  • Andricus quercuscalicis parthenogenetic generation gall.
  • Andricus quercuscalicis parthenogenetic generation gall.
  • Neuroterus quercusbaccarum sexual generation gall.
  • Andricus kollari parthenogenetic generation, Oak marble gall.
  • Cynips longiventris parthenogenetic generation gall.

  • Common Spangle gall

These turn reddish in the fall and are commonly known as oak apples. Light lentiform galls on the underside of the same leaves are induced by Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; darker ones with bulging edges are formed by Neuroterus numismalis. Also striking are the galls of Cynips longiventris, which likewise can be found on the underside of leaves, and are recognizable for their spheroidal shape and irregular red streaks. The oak potato gall wasp (Biorrhiza pallida) has round galls that grow to about four centimeters. These are known colloquially as oak potatoes. The latter type of gall is induced by this type of wasp not on the leaves, but on the roots of the oak. On the buds of young oak twigs, one can often find the hard-shelled galls of Andricus kollari and Andricus quercustozae.

The galls of the rose gall wasp (Diplolepis rosae) are also distinctive and are known as bedeguars or robin's pincushions. These are found on the shoots of dog roses and have a length of up to five centimeters with red long-haired outgrowths. Inside the galls are several chambers, which may be occupied by larvae.

Genera include:

  • Andricus
  • Biorrhiza
  • Cynips
  • Diplolepis
  • Neuroterus
  • Synergus

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