Oak Apple Galls

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Oak Apple Galls are seen between May and June.  They are home to the larvae of the oak apple gall wasp (Biorhiza pallida).  The female lays her eggs in the leaf bud causing the oak tree to produce this apple-like growth.

The gall itself is about 4cm in diameter, and inside there are around thirty chambers each containing one wasp larvae.  If you cut an old one in half you can see the tunnels where the larvae chewed their way out.  You might even find one or two of the larvae still inside.

The 29th of May is traditionally 'Oak Apple Day' in Britain, which celebrates Charles II's return to England in May 1660.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Galls Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?