Cynipidae
- noun
- /sɪˈnɪpɪdi/
- Specialized
- The Cynipidae, also known as gall wasps, are known for creating galls on various plants.
Examples
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This is the American Cynipidae, or gall wasp.
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Hikers often encounter galls on plants, which are caused by larvae of the family Cynipidae.
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Two exceptions are the Aphidoidea and the Cynipidae, of which it has 34% and 50% of the known species.
Academic text (1996) -
Four Hymenopteran families (Argidae, Cimbicidae, Cynipidae, and Eulophidae) were represented by a single species.
Academic text (2010) -
In botanical studies, the larvae of the Cynipidae family are significant due to their impact on plant growth.
Synonyms
A small wasp that makes growths on oak leaves where its young grow
A small wasp that lays eggs on oak leaves causing round growths
A small wasp that makes round growths called galls on oak trees and other plants
Surface Forms
Etymology
Cynipidae comes from the old scientific name Cynips, which itself comes from a Greek word for a small insect used for gall wasps. So Cynipidae is the wasp family known for making 'galls'—those round plant growths you often see on oak leaves.