Oak Galls

The Buzz on Rough Oak Bulletgalls

Rough Oak Bulletgalls induced by the gall-wasp, Disholcaspis quercusmamma (family Cynipidae) are splitting through the bark and rising on the stems of oaks in the white oak group in southwest Ohio. The galls are most commonly found on bur (Quercus macrocarpa), white oak (Q. alba), and swamp white oak (Q. bicolor).
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Another Interesting Oak Gall: the Roly-Poly

One of the most unusual galls found on oaks is the light green, ball-like Roly-Poly Galls produced under the direction of the gall wasp, Dryocosmus quercuspalustris (family Cynipidae). The specific epithet reveals one of the most common hosts of this gall-making wasp: Quercus palustris is the scientific name for Swamp Spanish Oak (a.k.a. Pin Oak) with palustris being Latin for “swampy” or “marshy.”
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Rising Bulletgalls

Rough oak bulletgalls are rising from oak stems in Ohio accompanied by their entourage of bodyguards. The galls are found on oaks in the white oak group with burr (Quercus macrocarpa) and swamp white oak (Q. bicolor) most commonly affected. The "mature" galls are commonly covered in black sooty mold.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Oak Bulletgalls are Rising

Dave Shetlar (Professor Emeritus, OSU Entomology) and I have recently observed newly developing oak rough bulletgalls in central and southwest Ohio, respectively. The galls are produced under the direction of the gall wasp Disholcaspis quercusmamma (family Cynipidae). We're also starting to see the gall's security detail, but more about that later.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Suction-Cups on the Bottom of Oak Leaves

I'm always amazed at how the population densities of certain gall-making wasps on oak seem to synchronize over wide geographical areas so that large numbers of the same gall appears over a wide region.  I don't know how they do it.  These are very tiny insects and they have an intimate relationship with their host trees; it's best for them not to stray too far. 

 

Oak button galls on white oak are very common this season throughout southwest Ohio; I even spotted some on oaks in central Indiana.  The galls are produced by the gall wasp, Neuroterus umbilicatus (...

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Authors
Joe Boggs