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unusual oak galls?
Hi,
First, I love your site! These odd-looking galls appeared on some oak trees in my yard last year and they’re back this year. I can’t seem to identify them anywhere on the internet. I suspect they are wasps of some kind and don’t want to eliminate them if they’re harmless. My dog, a golden retriever, actually ate a few them today! GROSS! I assume since the squirrels eat them they must not be toxic. (?) Thanks in advance for any help in identifying what kind of creature is in there…
a bug lover

Hi Bug Lover,
We believe these are Oak Apple Galls, benign leaf galls produced by the Gall Wasp, Amphibolips confluenta, a “very small and dark cynipid wasps with an oval, compressed abdomen” according to a website we located. Another website indicates that several wasps produce Oak Apple Galls, also known as King Charles’ Apple. One species mentioned is Biorhiza pallida.

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