Live-oak
Guides
Belonocnema
Belonocnema is a genus of cynipid gall wasps restricted to the southeastern United States. The genus comprises three recognized species that induce distinct galls on section Virentes oaks, including live oaks. All species exhibit heterogony, with alternating sexual and asexual generations producing morphologically and ecologically different gall types. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with Dryorhizoxenus now synonymized under Belonocnema.
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.
Callirhytis carmelensis
Mottled Acorn Gall Wasp
A cynipid gall wasp endemic to California that induces distinctive galls on acorns of coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni). The galls form at the acorn attachment point, often preventing normal nut development. The species produces a honeydew secretion that attracts other insects. Despite being described in 1922, it remains uncommon and poorly studied relative to other California oak gall wasps.
Callirhytis quercusbatatoides
Southern Live Oak Stem Gall Wasp
Callirhytis quercusbatatoides is a cynipid gall wasp that induces stem galls on Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) and related oak species. The species exhibits the complex life cycle typical of many oak gall wasps, with alternating sexual and asexual generations that produce morphologically distinct galls. The specific epithet 'quercusbatatoides' references the gall's resemblance to a sweet potato (batata). The species is well-documented in the southeastern United States where its host oaks are native.
Disholcaspis quercusvirens
Disholcaspis quercusvirens is a cynipid gall wasp that induces galls on live oak trees (Quercus virginiana). The species exhibits an alternation of generations life cycle with distinct sexual and asexual phases. It is one of numerous oak-associated gall wasps in North America, with its biology and management studied in the context of ornamental and native live oak systems.
Druon quercuslanigerum
Druon quercuslanigerum is a cynipid gall wasp that alternates between sexual and asexual generations on live oaks. The sexual generation forms small galls on catkins in spring, while the asexual generation produces distinctive woolly galls on leaf undersides. It is one of only two species in the genus Druon with documented alternating generations.
Melikaiella flora
Live Oak Petiole Gall Wasp
Melikaiella flora is a cynipid gall wasp that induces distinctive leaf galls on live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia, Q. wislizeni, and Q. chrysolepis) in California. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving two generations, with second-generation females ovipositing into acorns rather than leaf tissue. The galls typically engulf the entire petiole and may extend into the leaf blade, representing one of the more dramatic gall morphologies among North American Cynipidae. Formerly classified as Callirhytis milleri, the species was reclassified to reflect improved understanding of cynipid phylogeny.