unidentified

[dunlin]

Hi all,
Has anyone got any idea what these are. I found them lying on top of some moss that was growing on a large rock in woodland
I have pictured them next to a 5 pence piece for size comparison and placed them so you can see both sides. I thought at first they where fungi but im now not sure. I think they could either be some type of seed or flower head maybe. The one on the right is the correct way up and the one on the left is the under side

regards mark

[thunder]

They are galls that have fallen or been prised off an Oak leaf. My gall book is downstairs, or else I'd name them!

henrya

[dunlin]

You could be right there.
The woods where i found them does have a lot of oak trees in it. However that wouldnt explain how they where all the same way round?

regards mark

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by thunder

They are galls that have fallen or been prised off an Oak leaf. My gall book is downstairs, or else I'd name them!

henrya

Ive just googled it (common spangle gall) well done on the positive id. Once again wab comes up trumps

many thanks

[thunder]

Originally Posted by dunlin

You could be right there.
The woods where i found them does have a lot of oak trees in it. However that wouldnt explain how they where all the same way round?

regards mark

Might be like buttered toast - always land the same way down!

Something in their aerodynamics, perhaps.

henrya

[Lancashire Lad]

Did you know that when the spangle galls drop off the oak leaves, the gall wasp grub could still be inside - but they continue to develop usually amongst the leaf litter where they fall.

Have you checked yours for any little beasties.

Regards
Mike.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Did you know that when the spangle galls drop off the oak leaves, the gall wasp grub could still be inside - but they continue to develop usually amongst the leaf litter where they fall.

Have you checked yours for any little beasties.

Regards
Mike.

And you sometimes see tits and other small birds foraging through the leaf litter and opening the fallen galls to eat the invertebrate contents.

henrya

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by thunder

And you sometimes see tits and other small birds foraging through the leaf litter and opening the fallen galls to eat the invertebrate contents.

henrya

You do indeed. - Nothing goes to waste with Mother Nature.

Regards
Mike.

[Dogghound]

Indeed these are the Parthenogenetic galls of Neuroterus quercusbaccarum, as others have said these drop to the floor in autumn and in the spring females emerge and lay eggs in the buds of oak these cause currant galls on leaves and catkins, males and females emerge from these and mate then lay eggs on the leaves creating these spangle galls and the circle is complete.