Violet-egg Gall - Cynips quercusfolii f. sexual
Small oval unstalked galls in oak buds, with a purplish velvety pubescence. The bud scales can be seen at the base of the gall. All records from VC55 have been on the epicormic buds on oak-tree trunks.
The agamic forms are the familiar Cherry Galls.
Cynips longiventris sexual galls are of similar size but with greyish pubescence, short stalks and no bud scales
Close-up photos of galls showing bud scales
Oak trees
Spring
The agamic gall is very common, but the sexual galls are rarely recorded
See British Plant Galls, 3rd edition (Redfern & Shirley, 2023) and species page on Plant Parasites of Europe (Bladmineerders)
Melinda Bell
Bardon Hill
22 April 2025
on epicormic buds of oak
sue
Bagworth, the nut wood
14 April 2025
on epicormic buds on oak trunk
sue
Bagworth, the nut wood
14 April 2025
sue
Burbage Common, small wood south of railway, near Smithy Lane
30 April 2025
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Species profile
- Common names
- Violet-egg Gall Causer
- Species group:
- insect - hymenopteran
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Hymenoptera
- Family:
- Cynipidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 3
- First record:
- 14/04/2025 (Timms, Sue)
- Last record:
- 30/04/2025 (Timms, Sue)
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