# Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp (*amphibolips quercusinanis*) The Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp is a tiny insect that makes special homes called galls on oak trees! These galls are like little balloons where the wasp grows before it becomes an adult. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests with oak trees - **Also known as:** Empty Gall Wasp, Gall Wasp, Oak Gall Wasp ![Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amphibolips_quercusinanis_gall.jpg&width=800) Photo: Beatriz Moisset, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amphibolips_quercusinanis_gall.jpg) ## Appearance The Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp is a small, dark reddish-brown to black insect with a shiny, smooth body. It has clear, membranous wings with distinct dark veins. Its compact, somewhat robust build and dark coloration visually distinguish it from many slender, brightly colored wasps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Cynipidae - **Genus:** Amphibolips ## Interesting facts - Adult wasps don't sting humans; their ovipositor is used only for laying eggs! - Different generations of this wasp look so different, they were once thought to be separate species! - The 'oak apple' galls can grow surprisingly large, sometimes the size of a golf ball! - These wasps spend most of their larval lives hidden inside their amazing gall homes. ## Special abilities - **Gall Architect:** Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp can chemically induce oak trees to grow a protective 'oak apple' gall because of special substances injected during egg-laying. - **Life Cycle Switch:** Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp has the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually, helping them to colonize new areas efficiently. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-20 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny larvae munch on oak tree cells inside special growths called galls. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on oak gall tissue, while adults typically do not feed or only consume nectar/honeydew. - **Primary Foods:** oak gall tissue, plant sap (larvae) ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Induces galls on leaves and twigs for larval development. - **Eaten by:** Splendid Torymus Wasp (*Torymus splendens*) — Larvae within the gall are often attacked by these parasitic wasps. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Adult wasps can become prey for insectivorous birds in oak trees. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp? 3-5 mm ### How long does Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp live? 7-20 days ### What does Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp eat? Tiny larvae munch on oak tree cells inside special growths called galls. ### Where is Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp usually found? Forests with oak trees ### How many legs does Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Linwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/linwood) — New York, US · Historic District - [Northampton Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/northampton-downtown-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Tattersall Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tattersall-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/larger-empty-oak-apple-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Larger Empty Oak Apple Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/larger-empty-oak-apple-wasp)