Oak apple gall wasp

Oak Apple Gall

Oak Apple Gall ©northeastwildlife.co.uk

Oak apple gall wasp

Scientific name: Biorhiza pallida
Living up to its name, the oak apple gall wasp produces growths, or 'galls', on oak twigs that look like little apples. Inside the gall, the larvae of the wasp feed on the host tissues, but cause little damage.

Species information

Statistics

Diameter of gall: up to 5cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

May to June

About

The oak apple gall wasp, Biorhiza pallida, is a tiny wasp that causes growths, or 'galls', on oak twigs. These galls can be found between May and June where the female has laid her eggs in the leaf bud. Inside the gall, there are a number of chambers, each housing a larva which eats its way out. Adults emerge in June and July.

How to identify

The oak apple gall wasp produces a large, rough, buffish-brown, apple-like gall that can be found on oak twigs.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

The oak apple gall wasp has a second generation: the females that emerge in spring mate and drop to the ground to lay eggs in oak roots, producing further galls.

How people can help

Our gardens are a vital resource for wildlife, providing corridors of green space between open countryside, allowing species to move about. In fact, the UK's gardens provide more space for nature than all the National Nature Reserves put together. So why not try leaving wilder areas in your garden, such as patches of buttercups in your lawn or nettles near your compost heap, to see who comes to visit? To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.