Unidentified "Oak Apples" and Other Large, Spherical Oak Galls

Classification · Remarks

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (parasitic Apocrita)

Superfamily Cynipoidea

Family Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)

No Taxon Unidentified "Oak Apples" and Other Large, Spherical Oak Galls

Remarks

Many different cynipid wasps form large, spherical galls on oak leaves, some of which are called "oak apples." As with most galls, ID requires knowing the species of oak. It is also critical to look at the internal structure:

Even then, there are some very similar ones, and it may be necessary to examine the adult wasp that emerges.

Contributed by Charley Eiseman on 17 November, 2008 - 10:44am
Last updated 28 May, 2009 - 11:44pm

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