| Cola-nut gall | |
|---|---|
| Mature galls on pedunculate oak | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Cynipidae |
| Genus: | Andricus |
| Species: | A. lignicola |
| Binomial name | |
| Andricus lignicola (Hartig, 1840) |
|
Cola-nut galls[1] develop as a chemically induced distortion of leaf axillary or terminal buds on Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) or Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) trees, caused by the agamic gall wasp Andricus lignicola (Hartig, 1840) which lays single eggs within leaf buds using their ovipositor. A previous name or synonym for the species A. lignicola is A. lignicolus and A. venheurni.
Contents |
The galls are found in small groups, which however do not coalesce, helping to prevent mis-identification with the Oak marble gall (Andricus kollari), in addition the shape is ovoid rather than spherical and it is scaly rather than smooth. It grows up to about 10 x 8 mm and is at first green, rapidly changing to grey-brown, with light red patches where the original bud scales have separated. It is hard and firm, but does not always persist on the tree for very long.[2] Once the imago has emerged a small circular hole is apparent.[1]
This gall is not thought to be native and was only recorded from 1972. It is well known in continental Europe, occurring from Holland to Asia Minor. The imago of the agamic phase emerges in early summer following the gall's inception. The bisexual generation gall is very similar to that of A. kollari, effecting the live bud of Quercus species[2] and has only been seen under culture conditions (1975).[3]
Some herbivorous insects therefore create their own micro-habitats by forming usually highly distinctive plant structures called galls, made up of plant tissue but controlled by the insect. Galls act as both the habitat, and food sources for the maker of the gall. The artichoke gall is formed from entirely from the bud, composed of nutritious starch and other tissues. Some galls act as "physiologic sinks", concentrating resources in the gall from the surrounding plant parts.[4] Galls may also provide the insect with physical protection from predators.[5]
None seem to have been recorded in Britain as yet, supporting the recent spread theory of this gall to the United Kingdom.
Removing and destroying cola-nut galls before they dry and the wasps emerge may help to reduce the infestation. While fairly large, and sometimes present in quite large numbers on scrub specimens, they cause no measurable harm.