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Plant galls are created when larvae of an insect or mite affects a plant's growth hormones, stimulating the plant to produce an extension of a leaf, flower, or bud that serves as a protective case for the larva to develop in whilst feeding on the plant. Galls are particularly common on native trees. For example, in Britain, English Oak trees (Quercus robur) host around 30 different gall wasp species. Here are some of the galls spotted at Peartree Green so far
Plant galls made by Mites (Acari)
Galls made by Aceria ilicis (family Eriophyidae) on a leaf of Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
Seen on our 2024 Autumn Wildlife Walk
Galls made by Aceria ulmicola (family Eriophyidae) on leaves of Small-leaved Elm (Ulmus minor)
Seen on our November 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Plant galls made by Gall Wasps (Cynipidae and Diplolepididae)
Gall wasps have alternating sexual and asexual generations, each of which produces a different type of gall, arising from different parts of a plant, often involving leaf or flower buds
Oak Artichoke Galls made by Andricus foecundatrix (family Cynipidae), developed from buds of English Oak (Quercus robur)
Seen on our August 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Cotton Wool Gall made by the sexual generation of Andricus quercusramuli (family Cynipidae), developed from catkins of English Oak (Quercus robur)
Seen in May 2025
Knopper Galls made by Andricus quercuscalicis (family Cynipidae), developed from acorns of English Oak (Quercus robur)
Seen in August
Marble Galls made by Andricus kollari (family Cynipidae), developed from buds of English Oak (Quercus robur)
Seen in August and remaining (in frost) into December 2022
Common Spangle Galls made by Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (family Cynipidae) on the underside of an English Oak leaf (Quercus robur)
Seen on our August 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Silk-button Spangle Galls made by Neuroterus numismalis (family Cynipidae) on the underside of an English Oak leaf (Quercus robur)
Seen on our August 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Common and Silk-button Spangle Galls seen together on the underside of an English Oak leaf (Quercus robur) which has also sustained damage from other herbivores
Seen on our August 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Oak Cherry Gall made by Cynips quercusfolii (family Cynipidae) on the underside of an English Oak leaf (Quercus robur)
Seen on our August 2025 Autumn Nature Stroll
Robin's Pincushion Gall made by Diplolepis rosae (family Diplolepididae), developed from a leaf bud of Rose (Rosa sp)
Seen in October 2021
Plant galls made by Sawflies (Tenthredinidae)
Willow Sawfly Gall made by Euura pedunculi (family Tenthredinidae) on the underside of a Willow leaf (Salix sp)
Plant galls made by Aphids (Aphididae)
Elm Balloon Gall made by Eriosoma lanuginosum (family Aphididae), on an Elm leaf (Ulmus sp)
Have you seen any plant galls at Peartree Green and would like to share your photos?
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