Woolly Catkin Gall Wasp
Callirhytis quercusoperator
Note 2
Often appears to be on the stem and is thus mistaken for C seminator but in fact grows from staminate flowers (catkins). The group of the host oak is the easiest and most reliable way to distinguish them but the presence of catkins folded into the gall is also diagnostic. Weld lists a separate, undescribed species each on Quercus falcata, marilandica, and laurifolia as "like Callirhytis operator"--given that those oaks are all in the same group as the already wide host list of Q operator, there seems to be no reason to assume these are actually different species until further evidence establishes that they are.
Sources and Credits
- (c) cyric, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by cyric
- (c) Adam Kranz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Quercus | coccinea, falcata, ilicifolia, imbricaria, laurifolia, marilandica, myrtifolia, palustris, phellos, rubra, texana, velutina |
|---|---|
| Host leaf lobes | absent, pointed |
| Shape | globular |
| Color | brown, pink, white |
| Texture | woolly |
| Phenology | April, June, March, May |
| Plant part | catkin, stem |
