gall wasp

noun

: any of a family (Cynipidae) of hymenopterous gallflies

Illustration of gall wasp

Illustration of gall wasp
  • gall wasp and gall

Examples of gall wasp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This study is supported by the National Science Foundation, which in 2024 awarded a $305,209 grant to Binghamton University for research into the diversity of oak gall wasps and parasitoids throughout North America. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 When the gall wasp reaches adulthood and begins burrowing its way out, the crypt-keeper wasp, which is still in the crypt, stops the gall wasp from burrowing any further, plugging the gall wasp’s head in the hole. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2025 Beetles, leafminers, gall wasps, slugs, and other pesky invaders can all spell trouble for plant health. Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 8 June 2023 Crypt-keeper larvae then burrow into the gall wasp hatchlings. Fox News, 27 Sep. 2019 Anna Ward for The Forbes Lab, The University of Iowa To deposit its eggs, the parasitic oak gall wasp pierces a leaf or stem with its ovipositor, a long tubelike organ that would be a stinger if this wasp were the kind that stings. Joanna Klein, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2019 Upon hatching, the larva assumes control of its parasite neighbor, compelling the hapless gall wasp to chew through the wood in a bid for freedom. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 27 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gall wasp was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Gall wasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gall%20wasp. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gall wasp

noun
: a wasp that is a gallfly

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