Wool-bearing Gall Wasp

Druon quercuslanigerum

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Druon quercuslanigerum: //ˈdruːɒn kwərˌkʌs.lænˈɪdʒ.ərəm//

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

Images

Druon quercuslanigerum asexual gall by Brendansoloughlin. Used under a CC0 license.

Druon quercuslanigerum sexual gall by Brendansoloughlin. Used under a CC0 license.

Druon quercuslanigerum Sexual Generation Female by Brendansoloughlin. Used under a CC0 license.

Druon quercuslanigerum sexual female ovipositing by Brendansoloughlin. Used under a CC0 license.

Druon quercuslanigerum asexual generation by Brendansoloughlin. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Druon quercuslanigerum, also known as the Wool-bearing Gall Wasp, is a gall wasp species that forms galls on various species of oak. The species exhibits both sexual and asexual reproductive generations, contributing to its life cycle complexity. Galls are characterized by a woolly covering and can be found on live oak, influencing local ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

The asexual generation female is reddish-brown measuring 2-2.5 mm in length, while the smaller sexual female is dark-red brown to black measuring 1.4–2.1 mm. Males are similar in coloration to the female, measuring 1.2–1.6 mm. Galls of the asexual generation appear as hemispherical or irregular tufts with a woolly covering and can measure 1.0–7.0 mm in diameter and 2–3 mm in height with a light brown inner capsule.

Identification Tips

Look for galls on live oak leaves, which are covered in white to yellowish-white wool. Galls are formed on the midrib and may appear singly or in clusters of three to six.

Habitat

Typically found on live oak species such as Quercus virginiana and Quercus geminata.

Distribution

Found in the southern United States and Mexico, with recorded presence in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and adventive populations in California.

Diet

Herbivorous, feeding on specific oak species primarily through the formation of galls.

Life Cycle

Has both asexual and sexual generations. The sexual generation mates and lays eggs in the midrib of new leaves, while the asexual generation forms galls on leaves.

Reproduction

Involves both asexual and sexual generations. Sexual generation lays eggs in catkins, while asexual generation lays eggs on leaves.

Predators

Predators include the green parakeet.

Ecosystem Role

As a gall-inducing insect, contributes to the ecological niche of oak ecosystems by interacting with oak species and influencing plant growth through gall formation.

Evolution

Originally described in 1881 as part of the genus Cynips, later moved to Andricus, and in 2022 re-established in the genus Druon.