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An aphid Cryptosiphum artemisiae forms this unusual gall on the leaves of Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris. The aphids breed asexually in the galls for most of the year but pass the winter in the egg stage. This cluster was found near to the entrance to the first meadow at MSQ.
Alder Tongue gall. The ascomycete fungus Taphrina alni infects the scales of the female common or black alder catkins. Seen here with the 'tongue' extending from the scales.
Young galls are pale cream, developing to red or purple later.
This is now now much more common gall and some years a tree can have many catkins affected.
Ram's-horn gall. Named after the gall wasp, Andricus aries.
First discovered in Berkshire in 1993, this was found on oaks in the heather area at MSQ. The gall develops on a bud in the summer. Green at first it becomes brown and woody in the autumn and often remain on the tree for several years.
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Sputnik gall. This gall usually found on Dog-rose, Rosa canina is caused by a cynipid wasp, Diplolepis nervosa.
Before the wasp grub pupates the gall falls and remains in leaf litter until the 4mm long adult emerges.
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