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Convoluted Gall Wasp
ExploreInsects
Convoluted Gall Wasp
Andricus confertus
The Convoluted Gall Wasp is a tiny insect that makes special round galls on oak trees. These galls are like little homes for the wasp's babies, and they help protect them as they grow.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Convoluted Gall Wasp is a tiny, dark-bodied insect, typically brown to black. It has a compact, stocky build with clear wings and short antennae, appearing unassuming compared to the prominent, bumpy galls it creates on oak leaves and twigs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyCynipidaeGenusAndricus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Gall wasps spend most of their lives hidden inside these plant 'houses' they create.
Some galls feel squishy like sponge, while others are hard as wood!
The lumpy galls it makes are living parts of the oak tree, not part of the wasp itself!
These tiny wasps play a huge role in the forest food web for birds and other insects.
Special abilities
Ability
Gall Architect
Convoluted Gall Wasp larvae can chemically command oak trees to grow unique, protective structures called galls, which provide both shelter and food.
Ability
Chemical Commander
Convoluted Gall Wasp has special chemicals it injects into oak trees that force the plant to create a home and food source just for its babies.
Ability
Generation Shifter
The Convoluted Gall Wasp can reproduce sexually in one generation and then switch to asexual reproduction in the next, a clever way to increase its numbers.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 4-8 mm
- Size
- 2-4 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-30 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult Convoluted Gall Wasps may sip nectar, but their larvae feed on the nutritious tissue within oak galls.
Age differences: Larvae consume plant tissue inside galls; adults may feed on nectar or honeydew.
Primary Foods
- Oak leaf tissue
- Plant sap
- Nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
Provides plant tissue for gall formation and larval development.
parasitizes
California Oak Gall Wasp Parasitoid
Torymus californicus
Its larvae feed on the developing Convoluted Gall Wasp larvae inside the gall.
shelters
Pacific Gall Inquiline Wasp
Synergus pacificus
This inquiline lives within galls created by the Convoluted Gall Wasp.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to look at these wasps from a distance, so you don't disturb them or their galls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Convoluted Gall Wasp's wingspan?
4-8 mm
How big is Convoluted Gall Wasp?
2-4 mm
How long does Convoluted Gall Wasp live?
10-30 days
What does Convoluted Gall Wasp eat?
Adult Convoluted Gall Wasps may sip nectar, but their larvae feed on the nutritious tissue within oak galls.
Where is Convoluted Gall Wasp usually found?
Forests
How does Convoluted Gall Wasp hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Convoluted Gall Wasp have?
6
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