Gouty Stem Gall Wasp
ExploreInsects
Gouty Stem Gall Wasp
Callirhytis quercussuttoni
The Gouty Stem Gall Wasp is a tiny insect that makes galls on oak trees. These galls are like little bumps that help protect the wasp's babies as they grow inside.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Gouty Stem Gall Wasp is a tiny, dark-bodied insect, typically black or dark brown, with a somewhat rounded abdomen. Its body is smooth and shiny, often with clear, membranous wings that are longer than its body. It is distinctly small, making it difficult to spot without close inspection, and lacks the bright colors seen in some other wasp species.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyCynipidaeGenusCallirhytis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even after the wasp leaves, the empty galls can stay on the branches for years!
Its strange galls are like custom-built nurseries for baby wasps, grown by the tree!
The hard, woody galls are made by the tree, offering amazing protection from predators.
The wasp uses special chemicals to make the oak tree grow a lumpy, woody fortress.
Special abilities
Ability
Gall Architect
Gouty Stem Gall Wasps can induce oak trees to grow unique, woody galls that shelter their developing young, protecting them from danger.
Ability
Chemical Command
Gouty Stem Gall Wasps inject plant hormones that force the oak to create a specific nursery-like structure for their larvae.
Ability
Woody Fortress Creator
Gouty Stem Gall Wasps have the ability to make a hard, lumpy gall on oak stems that acts as a strong, secure home.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 4-7 mm
- Size
- 2-4 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult wasps feed little, but their larvae munch on nutrient-rich oak tissue from within their protective galls.
Age differences: Larvae feed on plant tissue inside the gall; adults may not feed or sip nectar/honeydew.
Primary Foods
- Oak stem tissue
- Plant sap
Foraging Method
- Null
Ecological connections
depends on
White Oak
Quercus alba
Wasp larvae feed on and develop within the oak's stem galls.
eaten by
Parasitoid Wasp
Torymus advenus
Its larvae parasitize and consume the Gouty Stem Gall Wasp larvae.
eats
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
Birds sometimes peck open galls to eat the larvae inside.
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.
Symbiotic
Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
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 galls from a distance and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gouty Stem Gall Wasp's wingspan?
4-7 mm
How big is Gouty Stem Gall Wasp?
2-4 mm
How long does Gouty Stem Gall Wasp live?
7-14 days
What does Gouty Stem Gall Wasp eat?
Adult wasps feed little, but their larvae munch on nutrient-rich oak tissue from within their protective galls.
Where is Gouty Stem Gall Wasp usually found?
Forests
How does Gouty Stem Gall Wasp hunt?
Null
How many legs does Gouty Stem Gall Wasp have?
6
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