Width 5 mm. The gall, which is found on various oaks (Quercus), is caused by the Spangle Gall Wasp (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum).
The male and female of the bisexual generation emerge in June from Currant Gall, berry-like galls up to 7 mm in diameter which vary in colour from pale yellow through green to red or purple. These galls may occur on oak leaves or catkins. After mating the fertilised eggs are laid by the sexual generation in the lower epidermis of the oak leaves. The Spangle Galls develop over the winter and the insects emerge in April, laying their eggs in the catkins or lower epidermis of leaves. The cycle then begins again.
Found where the host oak (Quercus) is found. Common and widespread throughout Britain.
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps & Sawflies)
Family Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
Species Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Photos: Local wood, South Staffordshire August 2020. © Peter Hillman
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