The population biology of oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae).
Oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini) are characterized by possession of complex cyclically parthenogenetic life cycles and the ability to induce a wide diversity of highly complex species- and generation-specific galls on oaks and other Fagaceae. The galls support species-rich, closed communities of inquilines and parasitoids that have become a model system in community ecology. We review recent advances in the ecology of oak cynipids, with particular emphasis on life cycle characteristics and the dynamics of the interactions between host plants, gall wasps, and natural enemies. We assess the importance of gall traits in structuring oak cynipid communities and summarize the evidence for bottom-up and top-down effects across trophic levels. We identify major unanswered questions and suggest approaches for the future.
Stone
Graham N
GN
Institute of Cell, Animal, and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, United Kingdom. graham.stone@ed.ac.uk
Schonrogge
Karsten
K
Atkinson
Rachel J
RJ
Bellido
David
D
Pujade-Villar
Juli
J
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D010944:Plants; D011157:Population Dynamics; D029963:Quercus; D014863:Wasps / Q000502:physiology*