Gall

[mrs fish]

I don't know if I should post this in Wildflowers or Insects

I often notice them growing on the local Willows, the recent strong winds brought some branches down so I was lucky to see one close up



A gall ?

[spoonbillcourt]

In the Field Study Council's British Plant Galls. I can find no mention or illustration of this gall and I cannot view an enlargement of the photograph you posted.

It could be a Gall as there is still a lot of work that needs doing on the subject and new ones are being found all the time.

[Wild-Woman]

Great find Teresa. I like galls they're fascinating to learn about, especially if you have a friend, like we have, who knows all about them and is able to show you ones that you wouldn't believe existed.

[mrs fish]

You can double click on the photo to make it bigger spoonbillcourt I did take a few photos and they all look different.


Yes Jules they are fascinating , your friend sounds good

Here is a Robins Pincushion , the wasp is Diplolepis rosae


It was on next doors rose so I got to watch it for over a year , never saw the wasp though

[nutmeg]

I'm not sure it's a gall on the willow - possibly a virus infection. Not sure where I've put my copy of Redfern & Shirley British Plant Galls so I can't check, but I have a vague recollection of mention of a virus in there.

[mrs fish]

Thanks for investigating

I'm looking forward to finding out what the growth is

[Adam Cheeseman]

Could it be an overmature Rabdophaga heterobia gall, which is a deformed catkin. It is quite common on the willows near me and they do stay on the tree for quite some time compared to others.

Cheers,

Adam

[mrs fish]

Are there any pics Adam ?

I went to look at the tree that had alot last year and the year before but they have gone.
I also took the gall apart and in the centre was a very hard thing, something like a nut or shell case but knobbly.

[Adam Cheeseman]

None that I can find Mrs. F., but your description does sound quite accurate for it. I tend to think of it as looking like a mouldy old Rhus flower head.

Cheers,

Adam

[mrs fish]

Thanks for the name

I wonder what the insect looked like.