Oak Gall - ID?

ericrovve · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 02:39 PM

This funny little sticky brown 'house' is found on Quercus pubescens, in great numbers in some years. Perhaps on other oaks? Anyone a name??

paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 03:40 PM

I've never seen this and can't find anything like it for Europe although some USAmerican sites show something similar .... Is this a relatively recent phenomenon?
Looks rather like a tiny toadstool coated in chocolate.

Shall be interested to know what you discover ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericrovve

This funny little sticky brown 'house' is found on Quercus pubescens, in great numbers in some years. Perhaps on other oaks? Anyone a name??

ericrovve · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 04:26 PM

"Shall be interested to know what you discover ...."

Well I've googled it to death and got nowhere - except that it's probably either a wasp or midge. Saw it first some years ago, and then again out walking today.

Pudding4brains · #4 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 10:28 PM

Looks a lot like this I think.

From this page

Quote:

Quercus ilex L.
* Andricus (Cynips) dentimitratus (REJTÖ)
* (Hym.) Gallwespe, B: 5538
* Foto: Lutz Thilo Wasserthal Frankreich, 1977

Of course, with a (genus) name it should be easier to google for more

Cheers
Arp

ericrovve · #5 (**permalink**) 26-01-2008, 07:29 AM

Andricus (Cynips) dentimitratus

Ah! Thanks Puddings, I think you've got it!! Never seen it on Holm oak, though,
Eric

Pudding4brains · #6 (**permalink**) 26-01-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericrovve

Never seen it on Holm oak, though

Never seen at all to be frank.

Actually the link I gave you must have been a lucky find (the first page I checked), as most of my other links for Galls come up empty.

FE seems to think your find is somewhat special - they don't list A. dentimitratus for the UK! And from the general distribution pattern, I'd say it looks like a fairly southern/eastern species.

So, either it's not A. dentimitratus after all, or FE is lagging behind, or you have a find that's probably worthwhile listing somewhere?!

Finding more info is probably a bit of a headache seeing the list of "old names" that FE alone has for the critter

Exciting stuff though!
Arp

ericrovve · #7 (**permalink**) 26-01-2008, 03:57 PM

"I'd say it looks like a fairly southern/eastern species."

That's about right for me. And thanks again. BTW, not good on insects, so wass FE?

Pudding4brains · #8 (**permalink**) 26-01-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericrovve

BTW, not good on insects, so wass FE?

That be Fauna Europaea, not a perfect/flawless reference (but what is?), but a fair starting point if you want to find out about European species and their distribution.

About where in Britain did you find the Gall? Somewhere in South-England?
Arp

ericrovve · #9 (**permalink**) 27-01-2008, 07:27 AM

"About where in Britain did you find the Gall? Somewhere in South-England?"

No, I'm in Southern France

Valderoure flowers

Eric

Pudding4brains · #10 (**permalink**) 27-01-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericrovve

No, I'm in Southern France

Oooohwww, the SHAME .... :-| .... must have only looked at the message contents and overlooked your "Location" data ... I'll get my eyes switched on at some point yet