Cynipid
Guides
Amphibolips globulus
Amphibolips globulus is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, described by Beutenmüller in 1909. The species is associated with oak galls, a characteristic trait of the genus Amphibolips. It is part of a diverse radiation of cynipid wasps that induce plant tissue modifications to serve as larval habitat and food source.
Amphibolips quercusfuliginosa
Amphibolips quercusfuliginosa is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. It induces galls on oak species (Quercus), with the specific epithet referencing the sooty or dark appearance of the gall structures. The species belongs to a genus known for producing complex, often spherical galls on oaks. It is part of the diverse North American cynipid fauna associated with white oaks.
Amphibolips quercusjuglans
Acorn Plum Gall Wasp
Amphibolips quercusjuglans, commonly known as the acorn plum gall wasp, is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive plum-like galls on acorns of oak trees (Quercus spp.). The species is part of a large radiation of gall-forming wasps specialized on oaks in North America. Its galls are among the most visually striking of oak galls, developing on the cupule or acorn itself rather than on leaves or stems.
Amphibolips quercusrugosa
Amphibolips quercusrugosa is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. It is known for inducing galls on oak trees (Quercus species), specifically associated with the wrinkled oak or related species. The species was described by William Beutenmüller in 1909. As with other Amphibolips species, it has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and asexual generations that alternate between different gall types on oaks.
Amphibolips quercusspongifica
Summer Sponge Apple Gall Wasp
Amphibolips quercusspongifica is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces distinctive sponge-like galls on oak trees. The species is known for producing 'spongy apple galls' on various Quercus species, with the common name referencing both the texture and seasonal timing of gall development. Like other Cynipidae, it has a complex life cycle likely involving alternate generations, though specific details remain incompletely documented. The species is relatively poorly known, with limited observational records.
Amphibolips spinosa
Amphibolips spinosa is a cynipid wasp (family Cynipidae) first described by Ashmead in 1887. Like other members of its genus, this species likely induces galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.), though specific gall morphology and host associations remain incompletely documented. The species exhibits alternating sexual and asexual generations, a trait confirmed through molecular analysis of specimens from Florida and North Carolina. It is known from limited collection records in the southeastern United States.
Andricus burnetti
Andricus burnetti is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group renowned for inducing diverse and structurally complex galls on oak trees. As a member of the genus Andricus, this species participates in the intricate life cycle characteristic of cynipid wasps, where females lay eggs in oak tissues and the developing larvae secrete substances that redirect plant growth to form specialized galls. The species was described by Burnett, for whom it is named. Like many Andricus species, it likely exhibits host specificity to particular oak species, though detailed biological accounts remain limited in published literature.
Andricus chinquapin
Small Oak Spindle Gall Wasp
Andricus chinquapin is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive spindle-shaped galls on oaks, particularly species in the white oak group including Quercus muhlenbergii (chinquapin oak). The species was described by Fitch in 1859. Like other Andricus species, it exhibits high host specificity, with galls forming on leaf tissues where larvae develop inside the protective structure. The adult wasps are tiny, typically measuring only a few millimeters in length.
Andricus chrysolepidicola
Irregular Spindle Gall Wasp, irregular-spindle gall wasp
Andricus chrysolepidicola is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive stem galls on several oak species in western North America. The species exhibits a complex heteroecious life cycle with alternating generations: first-year unisexual wasps produce irregular spindle-shaped stem galls, while second-year bisexual wasps induce bud galls. The species is primarily documented from California but has been recorded elsewhere along the Pacific coast and eastward to Nevada.
Andricus confertus
Convoluted Gall Wasp
Andricus confertus is a cynipid gall wasp endemic to California that induces distinctive pink, brain-like clustered galls on the underside of valley oak (Quercus lobata) leaves along the midrib. The species reproduces parthenogenetically, with female larvae initiating gall formation in summer and adults emerging the following spring. The galls are composite structures formed by multiple individual galls growing in close proximity.
Andricus cooki
Andricus cooki is a species of cynipid gall wasp described in 2021. As a member of the genus Andricus, it is an oak-associated gall wasp that induces characteristic galls on Quercus species. The genus Andricus is one of the most diverse genera of gall wasps, with each species typically producing distinct gall morphologies on specific oak hosts. Like other Andricus species, this wasp likely has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and asexual generations, though specific details for this recently described species remain to be documented.
Andricus coortus
Andricus coortus is a species of cynipid gall wasp described by Weld in 1947. It belongs to the genus Andricus, one of the most diverse genera of gall wasps associated with oaks. Species in this genus are known for inducing characteristic galls on various parts of oak trees, with each species typically producing a distinct gall morphology on specific host tissues. Like other Andricus species, A. coortus likely exhibits complex life cycles involving alternation between sexual and asexual generations on different oak tissues, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Andricus coronus
Andricus coronus is a cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of this genus, it induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.), serving as both shelter and food source for its developing larvae. The species exemplifies the highly specialized host relationships typical of gall wasps, where each species typically induces a distinct gall form on specific host plant tissues.
Andricus foliaformis
Andricus foliaformis is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, described by Gillette in 1888. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak hosts (Quercus spp.). The specific epithet "foliaformis" suggests a leaf-associated gall morphology. Cynipid gall wasps in this genus typically exhibit complex life cycles involving alternating sexual and asexual generations, with each generation often producing distinct gall forms on different plant tissues.
Andricus lustrans
Andricus lustrans is a species of cynipid gall wasp described by Beutenmuller in 1913. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.), with gall formation triggered by chemical secretions from the developing larva that manipulate plant hormones. The specific gall morphology and host associations distinguish it from related species. Adult wasps emerge from galls to reproduce and initiate new gall generations.
Andricus murtfeldtae
Andricus murtfeldtae is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The wasp exhibits the typical life cycle of gall wasps, with females laying eggs in oak tissue and larvae developing within the protective gall structure. Specific details regarding its host associations and gall morphology are not well documented in available sources.
Andricus opertus
Fimbriate Gall Wasp
Andricus opertus is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive galls on California oaks. The species exhibits alternation of generations, with bisexual and unisexual forms producing different gall types. The bisexual generation creates elongate, spiky leaf galls, while the unisexual generation forms aborted bud galls. This species is part of the highly diverse Andricus genus, which contains numerous oak-associated gall wasps.
Andricus pisiformis
Andricus pisiformis is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the tribe Cynipini, first described by Beutenmüller in 1911. Like other members of its genus, this wasp induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The species name 'pisiformis' refers to the pea-like shape of the galls it produces. As with many Andricus species, it exhibits a complex life cycle typically involving alternation between sexual and asexual generations on different oak hosts or plant parts, though specific details for this species remain incompletely documented.
Andricus quercuscalifornicus
California Gall Wasp
Andricus quercuscalifornicus is a cynipid gall wasp that induces large oak apple galls on white oaks, primarily the valley oak (Quercus lobata). The species is considered an ecosystem engineer due to its ability to manipulate plant tissue growth, creating complex microhabitats that support diverse insect communities. No male specimens have ever been recovered; reproduction occurs strictly through parthenogenesis.
Andricus quercusfoliatus
leafy oak gall wasp
Andricus quercusfoliatus, commonly known as the leafy oak gall wasp, is a species of cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive galls on oak leaves. Like other members of the family Cynipidae, this wasp manipulates plant tissue development through chemical secretions, causing the host oak to form a specialized structure that provides shelter and nutrition for the developing larva. The species is part of the highly diverse Andricus genus, which contains numerous oak-associated gall wasps, each typically specialized to specific host species or oak groups. The common name 'leafy' refers to the gall's location on leaves rather than twigs or other plant parts.
Andricus quercusfrondosus
Oak Rosette Gall Wasp
Andricus quercusfrondosus is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive rosette-shaped galls on the leaves of oak trees. As a member of the highly diverse genus Andricus, this species exemplifies the intimate host-plant specialization characteristic of gall-forming wasps. The galls provide shelter and food for the developing larva, which manipulates plant growth hormones to create this specialized structure. Like many Cynipidae, this species has a complex life cycle often involving alternation between sexual and asexual generations on different host tissues or related oak species.
Andricus reticulatus
Andricus reticulatus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak (Quercus) host plants. Cynipid gall wasps are highly specialized insects with intimate evolutionary relationships with their host plants, typically forming species-specific gall structures that serve as both shelter and food source for developing larvae. The genus Andricus is one of the most diverse within the Cynipidae, with numerous species associated with various oak species.
Andricus stellulus
stellar gall wasp
Andricus stellulus is a gall-inducing cynipid wasp that forms distinctive stellar galls on oak leaves. The species is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States, particularly the Mojave Desert of California, where it induces small, uniquely structured galls on scrub oak and shrub live oak. The galls consist of thin, hair-like stalks topped with toothed cups, representing one of the more architecturally unusual gall forms among the highly diverse Cynipidae.
Andricus tubularius
A cynipid gall wasp in the genus Andricus that induces distinctive galls on oak hosts. Like other members of this large and diverse genus, this species exhibits high host specificity and complex life cycles typical of oak gall wasps. The specific gall morphology and exact host associations for this species require further documentation.
Andricus weldi
Andricus weldi is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of this diverse family, it induces the formation of specialized plant galls on oak hosts. The species was named in honor of Lewis H. Weld, a prominent American cynipidologist who authored foundational works on gall wasps of the eastern United States. Specific details regarding its gall morphology, host associations, and biology remain limited in the available literature.
Antistrophus
Antistrophus is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae containing approximately 10 species, all restricted to the Nearctic region. Species induce galls on herbaceous plants in four Asteraceae genera: Silphium, Lygodesmia, Chrysothamnus, and Microseris. The genus was first described by Benjamin Walsh in 1869. Some species exhibit complex chemical ecology, using host plant volatile monoterpenes as olfactory cues for mate location.
Antistrophus
rosinweed stem gall wasp
An undescribed species of cynipid gall wasp in the genus Antistrophus that induces distinctive stem-cluster galls on Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant). Like other Antistrophus species, it likely produces only female wasps through parthenogenesis, with adults emerging in fall to lay eggs in host plant stems. The galls provide shelter and food for developing larvae.
Antistrophus pisum
Antistrophus pisum is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. It is a synonym of Antistrophus lygodesmiaepisum, a monophagous cynipid wasp that induces pea-like stem galls on the rush skeletonplant (Lygodesmia juncea). The species occurs in the Loess Hills region of western Iowa and extreme northwestern Missouri, where its host plant persists as a hypsithermal relict in hilltop prairie remnants. The galls are solid, succulent structures that exude latex-like sap when damaged.
Antron quercusechinus
urchin gall wasp
Antron quercusechinus is a gall-inducing cynipid wasp that induces the distinctive 'urchin gall' on oak trees. The gall is spherical, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, and covered with prominent spines that give it a sea urchin-like appearance. The species primarily targets blue oaks (Quercus douglasii) but has been observed on other white oaks. Heavy infestations can produce thousands of galls on individual trees.
Atrusca aggregata
Atrusca aggregata is a species of cynipid gall wasp described by Weld in 1926. Like other members of the family Cynipidae, this tiny wasp induces the formation of characteristic galls on oak leaves. The genus Atrusca is known for producing colorful, detachable leaf galls on various Quercus species. Adult females emerge from galls and use their ovipositor to inject eggs into leaf tissues, initiating the next generation of galls.
Atrusca clavuloides
Atrusca quercuscentricola
Spotted Oak Apple Gall Wasp
Atrusca quercuscentricola is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive colorful galls on the leaves of post oak (Quercus stellata). The galls are particularly notable for their bright coloration and the presence of a visible adult emergence hole upon maturation. Like other cynipid gall wasps, the female lays eggs in leaf tissue using her ovipositor, and the developing larvae secrete plant growth hormones that cause the plant to form a specialized gall structure. The larva develops inside this gall, feeding on the plant tissue, before emerging as an adult through a chewed exit hole.
Atrusca trimaculosa
Woollybear Gall Wasp
Atrusca trimaculosa, commonly known as the woollybear gall wasp, is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive round, hairy galls on oak leaves. The galls are 3–4 mm wide, covered in stiff hairs, and typically clustered on leaf surfaces. Only females of this species are known, suggesting reproduction may occur through parthenogenesis. The species is associated with several oak species including valley oak, blue oak, and Oregon oak.
Atrusca unica
Atrusca unica is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other gall wasps, it induces the formation of specialized plant structures called galls on its host plant. The genus Atrusca is known for producing colorful, prominent leaf galls on oaks (Quercus spp.). This species appears to be relatively well-documented with 227 observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is not exceptionally rare, though specific details about its biology remain limited in the provided sources.
Aulacidea podagrae
Aulacidea podagrae is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of its genus, it induces gall formation on host plants. The species was described by Bassett in 1890. It belongs to a group of cynipid wasps that serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps such as Eupelmus messene.
Bassettia
Bassettia is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, restricted to North America. The genus was established by William Harris Ashmead in 1887, named in honor of H. F. Bassett, an amateur entomologist who contributed significantly to the study of gall wasps. As of 2007, the genus comprises nine recognized species distributed across the United States from Connecticut to California, with one species extending into Panama. These wasps induce galls on oak trees (Quercus species), with each species typically associated with specific host plants and geographic regions.
Bassettia flavipes
Bassettia flavipes is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces galls on oaks, particularly Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak). This species exhibits an alternation of generations between sexual and asexual forms, a trait now confirmed through molecular data. It was originally described from the sexual generation by Gillette in 1889 and was later transferred from the genus Neuroterus to Bassettia based on genetic and morphological evidence. The species is distributed across the northern United States and southern Canada.
Belonocnema treatae
Belonocnema treatae is a cynipid gall wasp species associated with live oaks in the southeastern United States. It exhibits an alternating sexual and asexual generation life cycle, with each generation forming distinct gall types on different parts of the host plant. The species has served as a model organism for studies of speciation and ecological interactions. It was first described by Gustav Leopold Mayr in 1881 based on specimens collected by naturalist Mary Treat in Florida.
Burnettweldia
Burnettweldia is a genus of oak gall wasps (Cynipidae: Cynipini) established in 2021, containing five species distributed in the Nearctic region. Species were transferred from other genera or newly described based on morphological and molecular data. The genus is associated with oak hosts (Quercus), inducing galls on various plant tissues.
Burnettweldia californicordazi
Burnettweldia californicordazi is a species of oak cynipid gall wasp described in 2021 as the type species of the new genus Burnettweldia. The genus was established to accommodate five Nearctic species previously assigned to other genera or newly described. As a member of tribe Cynipini, this species induces galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The species name references California, indicating the geographic region of its type locality.
Burnettweldia corallina
Coral Gall Wasp
Burnettweldia corallina is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive detachable galls on blue oaks (Quercus douglasii) in California. The species was formerly classified under the genera Disholcaspis and Holcaspis before its current placement in Burnettweldia. The wasp oviposits at the base of leaf petioles, and the resulting galls change color dramatically as they mature.
Burnettweldia plumbella
Beaked Twig Gall Wasp
Burnettweldia plumbella is a gall wasp that induces distinctive galls on oak trees. The species was transferred from the genus Disholcaspis to the newly erected genus Burnettweldia in 2021. It is commonly known as the beaked twig gall wasp due to the pointed tip of the galls it produces. The wasp has been documented on multiple oak species in western North America.
Burnettweldia washingtonensis
fuzzy gall wasp
Burnettweldia washingtonensis is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive stem galls on white oaks (Quercus sect. Quercus) along the Pacific coast of North America. The species was originally described as Cynips washingtonensis in 1894 and later transferred to Disholcaspis before its current placement in Burnettweldia. It is locally common and among the more frequently observed oak gall wasps in its range, with over 1,400 citizen science records.
Callirhytis balanacea
Callirhytis balanacea is a species of cynipid wasp in the family Cynipidae, known for inducing pea-sized galls on oak trees. The species produces distinctive pip galls on oak hosts, which exude sugary secretions that serve as food sources for other insects. It has been documented as a gall-forming insect with specific ecological interactions, including serving as a food source for hairstreak butterflies that feed on gall exudates rather than nectar.
Callirhytis clavula
Callirhytis clavula is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, known to induce galls on oak trees (Quercus). Like other members of the genus Callirhytis, it exhibits a complex life cycle involving alternating generations that produce different gall types on different plant tissues. The species is native to eastern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Specific details of its gall morphology and biology remain poorly documented in the primary literature.
Callirhytis elliptica
Callirhytis elliptica is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The species is known to induce galls on oak hosts, consistent with the genus's well-documented association with oaks. As with other members of Callirhytis, this species exhibits the complex life cycles typical of cynipid gall wasps, often involving alternating sexual and asexual generations that produce different gall forms. Specific details regarding the morphology of its galls and precise host oak species remain limited in published sources.
Callirhytis furva
Callirhytis furva is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Callirhytis, it induces galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The species exhibits the complex life cycle typical of many cynipid wasps, with alternating sexual and asexual generations that often produce distinct gall morphologies on different plant tissues.
Callirhytis gallaestriatae
Callirhytis gallaestriatae is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. As with other members of this genus, it induces galls on oak hosts (Quercus species). The species exhibits the complex life cycle typical of many cynipids, with alternating sexual and asexual generations that often produce morphologically distinct galls. The specific epithet "gallaestriatae" suggests association with galls bearing striations or stripes.
Callirhytis pedunculata
Callirhytis pedunculata is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of its genus, it induces galls on oak trees (Quercus species). The species exhibits the typical complex life cycle of cynipid gall wasps, with alternating sexual and asexual generations that often produce distinct gall morphologies on different oak tissues.
Callirhytis perditor
Callirhytis perditor is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of its genus, it induces the formation of galls on oak trees (Quercus species). The species exhibits the complex life cycle typical of many cynipid wasps, with alternating sexual and asexual generations that often produce morphologically distinct galls on different parts of the host plant.