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

Read more about this topic:  Gall Wasp

Famous quotes containing the word types:

    Our children evaluate themselves based on the opinions we have of them. When we use harsh words, biting comments, and a sarcastic tone of voice, we plant the seeds of self-doubt in their developing minds.... Children who receive a steady diet of these types of messages end up feeling powerless, inadequate, and unimportant. They start to believe that they are bad, and that they can never do enough.
    Stephanie Martson (20th century)

    He’s one of those know-it-all types that, if you flatter the wig off him, he chatter like a goony bird at mating time.
    —Michael Blankfort. Lewis Milestone. Johnson (Reginald Gardner)

    He types his laboured column—weary drudge!
    Senile fudge and solemn:
    Spare, editor, to condemn
    These dry leaves of his autumn.
    Robertson Davies (b. 1913)