Thimbleberry Gall Wasp
ExploreInsects
Thimbleberry Gall Wasp
Diastrophus kincaidii
The Thimbleberry Gall Wasp is a tiny insect that makes special homes called galls on thimbleberry plants. These galls look like little bumps and provide a safe place for the wasp's babies to grow.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Thimbleberry Gall Wasp is a tiny, dark-bodied insect, typically black or dark brown, with a shiny exoskeleton. Its small size and transparent wings distinguish it, but it's most often identified by the distinctive, often reddish or green, spindle-shaped galls it creates on thimbleberry stems.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyCynipidaeGenusDiastrophus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each tiny wasp creates a unique living sculpture!
Galls can look like berries or strange plant potatoes!
Its larvae turn plant cells into a personal pantry!
Some gall wasps are all female, no dads needed!
Special abilities
Ability
Gall Architect
Thimbleberry Gall Wasp can cleverly manipulate plants to grow protective homes called galls because of special chemicals it injects.
Ability
Host Plant Whisperer
Thimbleberry Gall Wasp has a unique ability to trigger a specific plant response that helps them create safe nurseries for their young.
Ability
Tiny Chemist
Thimbleberry Gall Wasp can inject powerful chemicals that force the host plant to grow a custom-designed, nutrient-rich shelter for its larvae.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 4-8 mm
- Size
- 2-4 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults might sip nectar, but larvae get all their nutrition by consuming the plant tissue inside their gall homes.
Age differences: Larvae consume plant tissue inside galls; adults may feed on nectar or honeydew, or not feed at all.
Primary Foods
- Gall tissue
- Nectar
- Honeydew
Ecological connections
depends on
Thimbleberry
Rubus parviflorus
Its larvae rely on this plant to grow their protective gall homes.
parasitizes
Perplexing Torymid Wasp
Torymus perplexus
Its larvae develop inside the Thimbleberry Gall Wasp's galls.
eaten by
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
This bird sometimes pecks at galls to find 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.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
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 and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thimbleberry Gall Wasp's wingspan?
4-8 mm
How big is Thimbleberry Gall Wasp?
2-4 mm
How long does Thimbleberry Gall Wasp live?
7-14 days
What does Thimbleberry Gall Wasp eat?
Adults might sip nectar, but larvae get all their nutrition by consuming the plant tissue inside their gall homes.
Where is Thimbleberry Gall Wasp usually found?
Forests
How many legs does Thimbleberry Gall Wasp have?
6
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park7 sightings3 species
British Columbia, CA
Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park
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Park11 sightings2 species
British Columbia, CA
Chemainus River Park
You might spot Pacific Trillium, Western Redcedar, and Vanilla Leaf.
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Park1 sightings1 species
British Columbia, CA
Lockhart Creek Provincial Park
You might spot Wild Sarsaparilla, Thimbleberry, and Oregon Boxwood.
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