Gall Wasps on
Scrub Live Oak
Cynipidae
Host: Quercus turbinella
Insect Caused Galls
Gall caused by the presence inside of minute larva of a gall wasp (f. Cynipidae). Observed in the Wickenburg Mts., Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA. Dec 2010.
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Gall caused by the presence inside of a minute larva of a gall wasp (f. Cynipidae). Observed at Seven Spring, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA. Aug 2010.
Galls caused by the presence inside of a minute larvae of a gall wasp (f. Cynipidae). Observed at Seven Spring, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA. Aug 2010.
A great variety of galls can be found on the leaves, petioles and twigs of oaks and Scrub Live Oak is no exception. These structures are produced by the plant in response to the internal feeding and chemical secretions of minute insect larvae. The larvae are immature wasps, having arrived there when an adult female wasp (barely 2 mm long herself) inserted eggs into newly flushed leaves. Many are brightly colored and have received a lot of attention from ecologists and entomologists. The stories told are quite fascinating and could easily fill a heavy tome.
Host Plant: Fagaceae -- Oak Family
Insect Parasite: Cynipidae -- Gall Wasp Family
More Information:
Description of Scrub Live Oak
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Galls caused by the presence inside of minute larvae of a gall wasp (f. Cynipidae). Observed in Peralta Canyon, Superstition Mountains, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA. October 2005.