Inside a Nettle Gall

[BloomingMarvellous]

I found this Nettle Gall about a week ago, today I found this site that explains all about the different Galls that are out there.

Galls Page 2


So tonight I decided to see what was inside the Gall, half expecting a Parasite to be present, but it was all alone.






I'll be keeping a close eye on this over the weekend.

[JRsbugs]

It looks like it's pupated. Was there any leaf mining?

There's a description on bugs and weeds of some nettle miners which make a 'pouch'.

Look at the British mines site which might give you an idea. If you go to a species link you will find some more links to a Dutch site which often has photos of larvae and pupae.

Another site which might help..

Plants

[Jason Green]

The gall has been broken open and thus revealed a developing parasite in pupal-stage inside - all as I'd have expected. Not every pupa will become a victim to another parasite, though it'd be pretty interesting to see when it does!

I can't see any sign of it having emerged, so may do so next year now. Is the leaf still attached to a growing plant?

[BloomingMarvellous]

Thanks for the Links JRsbugs. I didn't see any evidence of leaf mining, just a Gall embedded in the main vein of the Nettle leaf.

Dasineura urticae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Thanks for your input Jason, didn't realise how long they took to mature, If I had of done, I wouldn't of opened it.

[Jason Green]

It might still be alright - did you 'close it up' again afterwards?

[BloomingMarvellous]

Dropped it this morning on the floor, took me ages to find it on my hands and knees with an eyeglass, thankfully it's still intact.

I'll try and repair the damage i've done in the morning, may have to use some glue to seal the hole.

[Jason Green]

Nah, just hinge it back closed (back closed?!) again, it should be alright - I think the casing that it grows within is just protection from the elements/predation.

Just keep it outside to keep in-line with phenological temperature-regulated emergence.