Gall Wasp
Biorhiza pallida
CLASS
Insecta
DIVISION
Endopterygota. The wind develop inside the body of the immature insects
and there is a marked change (metamorphosis) during the life cycle.
The young stages are very different from the adults. The young are
called larvae. The change from larva to adult form takes place during
a non-feeding stage called pupa. This division is also known as the
Holometabola
Photo shows the oak apple gall that grows around the larve.
ORDER
Hymenoptera, Bees, Wasps, Ants. Parasites, ichneumons, sawflies etc.
SUB-ORDER
Apocrita Bees, Wasps, Ants and Parasites
SUPER FAMILY
Cynipidae Gall Wasps
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
Generally all gall wasps induce the formation of galls in plants,
especially in oaks. Galls are formed when the eggs, laid by the female
in the plants, hatch and the tissues around the grub swell up.
OAK
APPLE GALLS
The swelling of the tissues around the grubs of the Biorhiza
pallida produces on the oak tree what looks like, (and hence
the name) apples, (well, ish).
Close
up of an Oak Apple gall
5th of May 2000.
Another
Oak Apple gall
4th of May 2000.
18
days later.
possibly the same gall, definitely the same tree
23rd of May 2000