Inside the Oak Apple Gall

oak apple gall
Location: Tampa, Florida
May 1, 2011 10:51 am
Hey, just thought you might think this was a cool pic I took…
Signature: Melody

Interior of Oak Apple Gall

Hi Melody,
Thanks so much for contributing your photo of the interior of an Oak Apple Gall, revealing the larval wasp in the genus
Amphibolips inside.  Gall Wasps in the family Cynipidae are a fascinatingly diverse group that was studied in depth by Alfred Kinsey.  The Gall itself is a growth on a plant that may be produced by a variety of sources.  Gall Wasps produce growths on leaves, stems and roots though each species forms a distinctive Gall.  The larva then feeds on the tissue produced in the Gall.  It is currently accepted that the Galls do not harm the plant.  You can see other photos of Oak Apple Galls on BugGuide.

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