Oak Galls

Just a little hike in a local wildlife refuge. These are homes to the Cynipid wasp. A tiny flying insect who lays its eggs on the branches of oak trees. The eggs cause a chemical reaction with the tree and these galls grow around the egg. When the egg hatches inside the gall, the pulp of the gall is the insect's first meal. Eating its way out, it lives for a short period of time to lay eggs and start the process all over.

The Cynipid wasp does not have a stinger and it is smaller than a fruit fly. The galls do not harm the tree, but there doesn't seem to be any symbiotic relationship either. Just the tree providing shelter and food from the chemicals on the egg. Ah, nature is an amazing thing.

Enjoy!

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