Oak Marble Gall Wasp vs Narrow-necked Ant Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Oak Marble Gall Wasp Narrow-necked Ant Beetle
Scientific Name Andricus kollari Dinarda dentata
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Cynipidae Staphylinidae
Size 3-5 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Parks Woodlands
Diet Gall Makers Gall Makers
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Oak Marble Gall Wasp

A tiny wasp that induces marble-shaped galls on oak twigs where its larvae develop. The galls were historically used to make iron gall ink.

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Did You Know?

The ink made from its galls was used to write the US Declaration of Independence and Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks.

Narrow-necked Ant Beetle

A flattened, reddish-brown aleocharine rove beetle that inhabits Formica ant nests as a tolerated guest. Its flattened body allows it to move easily through narrow ant nest galleries.

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Did You Know?

If attacked by an ant, this beetle raises its abdomen to present its appeasement glands, releasing chemicals that calm the aggressor.