Gall Wasp vs Red Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gall Wasp Red Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Andricus quercuscalicis Platydracus maculosus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Cynipidae Staphylinidae
Size 3-4 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Gall Makers Predators
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Gall Wasp

A tiny wasp that induces knopper galls on oak acorns, deforming them completely.

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Did You Know?

It has alternating sexual and asexual generations that produce different gall types.

Red Rove Beetle

A large, brightly marked rove beetle with reddish elytra spotted with dark markings and a densely pubescent thorax. It is one of the most colorful North American staphylinids.

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Did You Know?

This beetle can produce audible stridulatory sounds by rubbing specialized structures on its abdomen against the underside of the elytra.