Species: Knopper Oak Gall Wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis)
Family: Gall Wasps (CYNIPIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: SW
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Gall Wasps (CYNIPIDAE)
Gall wasps are wasps that induce galls on plants, which aid the development of their larvae. They are generally small insects.
Galls develop in the tissue of plants after the female insect lays eggs. After the eggs hatch into larvae, the galls provide nourishment for them and protection of them.
C. Knopper Oak Gall Wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis)
Andricus quercuscalicis wasps were not seen in Britain before the 1960s, yet are now seen frequently throughout the country. The Knopper Oak Gall Wasp lays its eggs in oak acorns using its egg-depositing ovipositor. As the egg develops into larvae, the acorn develops an obvious deformity, which is probably chemically induced.
These Knopper Oak Galls are specific to Pedunculate Oak trees, a type that exists in the Cemetery. This deformation renders the acorn infertile.
This species - along with mites - are exceptions to the species listed on this website in that we cannot show their photographs directly, but we know that the galls that they have created are proof of their earlier presence.
Images
Knopper Oak Gall Wasp
The Knopper Oak Gall Wasp lays its eggs in oak acorns, causing an obvious deformity, which is probably chemically induced.
