Cynips
Cynips
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Cynipoidea
- Family: Cynipidae
- Tribe: Cynipini
- Genus: Cynips
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cynips: /ˈsɪnɪps/
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Images
Summary
Cynips douglasii, also known as the spined turbaned gall wasp, is a species of gall wasp that induces distinctive spiny galls primarily on various oak species. The life cycle involves a parthenogenic summer generation and a bisexual spring generation.
Physical Characteristics
Galls are noted for their spines, can be white, purple, or pink, up to 10 mm wide and 15 mm high.
Identification Tips
Distinguished by their spiny leaf galls.
Habitat
Induces galls primarily in valley oaks, blue oak, and California scrub oak.
Distribution
Northern California, particularly where the host oaks are found.
Diet
Induces galls on oak leaves.
Life Cycle
Adult females emerge in winter from galls formed by a parthenogenic, unisexual generation in summer.
Reproduction
A parthenogenic, unisexual generation produces galls in summer, followed by a bisexual generation that induces rounder, green bud galls in spring.
Ecosystem Role
Acts as a gall inducer, which can affect the health of oak trees and ecosystem dynamics.
Evolution
Junior synonyms of Cynips include Besbicus Kinsey and Antron Kinsey, which were synonymized and later reversed in taxonomic classification.
Tags
- Cynips
- gall wasp
- Cynipidae
- oak gall