Gall-wasps

Guides

• Aulacidea

  Aulacidea is a genus of herb gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, tribe Aylacini. Species in this genus induce galls on herbaceous plants, particularly in the Asteraceae and Plantaginaceae families. The genus is considered basal within the cynipid complex and exhibits relatively simple gall developmental patterns compared to more derived cynipid lineages. Aulacidea species support diverse parasitoid communities, with some species serving as hosts for multiple parasitoid wasps.

  gall-waspsherb-gall-waspsCynipidaeAylacinigall-inductionparasitoid-hostsbasal-cynipidsasterid-galls

• Cynipini

  Oak Gall Wasps

  Cynipini is the largest tribe of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, comprising approximately 936 to 1,000 described species. Members are commonly known as oak gall wasps due to their specialized association with oaks (Quercus) and other Fagaceae. The tribe is primarily distributed in the Holarctic region, with significant diversity also in Mexico and Central America. Cynipini species induce structurally diverse galls on various oak tissues including leaves, buds, branches, petioles, catkins, acorns, and roots. Most species exhibit cyclical parthenogenesis, alternating between sexual and asexual generations that often produce different gall morphotypes on the same or different host tissues.

  gall-waspsoak-gall-waspsCynipidaeQuercusparthenogenesisheterogonygall-inductionecosystem-engineersinquilinesparasitoidsHolarcticMexico-biodiversityFagaceae

• Diplolepis

  gall wasps, rose gall wasps

  Diplolepis is a genus of gall-inducing wasps in the family Diplolepididae, most commonly associated with roses (Rosa spp.). These small wasps are notable for inducing complex, often conspicuous galls on their host plants through chemical manipulation of plant tissues. The genus includes both sexual and parthenogenetic species, with some like D. rosae reproducing primarily by thelytokous parthenogenesis. Diplolepis species exhibit intricate life cycles involving alternation between sexual and agamic generations, and their galls support diverse communities of parasitoids and inquilines.

  gall-waspsCynipidaeDiplolepididaeRosaparthenogenesisthelytokybedeguarplant-gallsparasitoidsinquilinesHolarcticrose-pestsinduced-plant-structuresalternation-of-generationsagamic-generationsexual-generationovipositorchemical-ecologynutrient-regulationWolbachiagenomic-rearrangementmodel-organism

• Sycophaginae

  Sycophaginae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Pteromalidae. Members of this subfamily are primarily associated with figs (Ficus species) and are commonly known as fig wasps. The group exhibits complex ecological relationships with their host plants, including both pollinating and non-pollinating species. Sycophaginae wasps are typically small, often measuring less than 5 mm in length.

  fig-waspschalcidoidsmutualismFicuspollinationgall-wasps