Large Oak Cynipid vs Australian Web Spinner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Oak Cynipid Australian Web Spinner
Scientific Name Cynips quercusfolii Metoligotoma reducta
Order Hymenoptera Embioptera
Family Cynipidae Australembiidae
Size 2.5–4 mm 8.0-12.0 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Large Oak Cynipid

A gall wasp that induces cherry-sized galls on the undersides of oak leaves. The galls turn from green to red as they mature in autumn.

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Did You Know?

The colorful galls were historically known as 'oak cherries' and were sometimes mistaken for real fruit by children.

Australian Web Spinner

An Australian web spinner found under eucalyptus bark in eastern Australia. It is endemic to the continent and belongs to a uniquely Australian family.

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Did You Know?

Australia has its own endemic family of web spinners found nowhere else on Earth.