Callirhytis

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Cynipoidea
Family: Cynipidae
Tribe: Cynipini
Genus: Callirhytis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Callirhytis: //kæˈlaɪrɪtɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Callirhytis rhizoxenus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Callirhytis hartmani by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Callirhytis ceropteroides by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Callirhytis middletoni by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Callirhytis attigua by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Callirhytis mamillaformis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Callirhytis is a genus of gall-forming wasps within the family Cynipidae, known for creating galls on oak trees and having a complex life cycle involving both sexual and agamic generations. There are over 90 described species, primarily distributed in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Small to medium-sized wasps that are often characterized by their ability to induce galls on various parts of oak trees.

Identification Tips

Identification can require examining the galls they create and their morphological features under a microscope.

Habitat

Primarily found on oak trees in North America, where they create galls in various parts of the trees, including leaves and stems.

Distribution

North America, specifically associated with oak trees across various regions.

Diet

Larvae feed on the plant tissues within the galls they induce, while adult wasps are likely to feed on nectar or similar substances.

Life Cycle

Callirhytis has a complicated life cycle that involves agamic (asexual) and sexual generations. The entire life cycle may take up to three years to complete, with different galls produced on different parts of the host plant throughout the stages.

Reproduction

Reproduction involves both sexual and agamic generations, leading to a diversity of gall types on oak trees.

Ecosystem Role

As gall inducers, they play a role in the ecology of oak forests, affecting plant health and potentially influencing other species that interact with the galls.