# Two-horned Gall Wasp (*Dryocosmus dubiosus*)

The Two-horned Gall Wasp is a tiny insect that makes little bumps, called galls, on oak trees. These galls are like cozy homes for the wasp's babies, where they grow and develop.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Two-horned Gall Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dryocosmus_dubiosus_1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Michele Jones, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dryocosmus_dubiosus_1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Two-horned Gall Wasp is a tiny, dark brown to black insect, typically 1-3mm long. It has two prominent, thorn-like projections on its back, giving it a distinctive horned appearance. Its wings are clear and veined.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Cynipidae
- **Genus:** Dryocosmus

## Interesting facts

- A gall wasp's sting cannot hurt humans or pets!
- Many galls are like tiny, living sculptures on plants!
- Some gall wasps have two different forms in their life cycle!
- They trick oak trees into growing special homes for their babies!

## Special abilities

- **Gall Architect:** Two-horned Gall Wasp can create intricate galls on oak leaves by laying eggs that reprogram plant growth.
- **Hormone Hacker:** Two-horned Gall Wasp can inject powerful plant hormones into oak leaves, compelling the tree to grow a unique home.
- **Clone Creator:** Two-horned Gall Wasp can reproduce without a mate through parthenogenesis, allowing all-female generations to emerge.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 3-6 mm
- **Size:** 1-3 mm
- **Lifespan:** 7-14 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adults drink nectar, while their larvae eat the tissues inside plant galls.

- **Age differences:** Larvae consume gall tissue; adults primarily feed on nectar and tree sap.
- **Primary Foods:** Oak gall tissue, Flower nectar, Tree sap
- **Foraging Method:** Null

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Larvae develop within galls formed on its leaves.
- **Depends on:** Black Oak (*Quercus velutina*) — Another host tree for the wasp larvae and galls.
- **Parasitizes:** Oak Gall Wasp Parasitoid (*Ormyrus distinctus*) — Its larvae develop inside the gall wasp larvae.

## 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.
- [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
- [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.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [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

Galls are safe to touch, but be gentle with trees and insects.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Two-horned Gall 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.

### What is Two-horned Gall Wasp's wingspan?

3-6 mm

### How big is Two-horned Gall Wasp?

1-3 mm

### How long does Two-horned Gall Wasp live?

7-14 days

### What does Two-horned Gall Wasp eat?

Adults drink nectar, while their larvae eat the tissues inside plant galls.

### Where is Two-horned Gall Wasp usually found?

Forests

### How does Two-horned Gall Wasp hunt?

Null

### How many legs does Two-horned Gall Wasp have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Locke](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/locke) — California, US · Historic District
- [Railtown 1897 State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/railtown-1897-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park

## 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*)

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Source: [Two-horned Gall Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-horned-gall-wasp)