Hi Felicity, in the last few weeks I've been looking at these also. I knew nothing about them previously. There is a fabulous web resource here - https://www.britishplantgallsociety.org/trees/ and also a FSC key and very nice book in the WildGuides series. I've not found the Knopper Gall yet but I have found a few additional gall species at the Community Woodland. Interestingly I also found a small hymenopteran which was clearly interested in parasitising the inhabitant of Common Spangle Gall (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum). At the moment the identification is tentatively (Torymus) sp, but that may be improved upon, further expert opinion is hopefully forthcoming. When I get my act together I'll post with photos on my blog https://literateherringthisway.blogspot.com/ - I'm still working on some identifications. The life cycles are fascinating and as you say when we introduce plants, either intentionally or accidentally, there will certainly be some "passengers".
Who knew there was a British Plant Gallery Society?! Fascinating, the website is well illustrated for ID.
The knopper galls I found were on a planted hedgerow tree going up on to Bogton Braes. I looked at it a couple of days ago and the galls had turned brown, losing their vibrant colours and diminishing their remarkable shape.
This online event Tim shared also looks as if it could reveal more:
I've always been fascinated by oak galls. I can also recommend the recent Scottish Wildlife Trust webinar about plant galls, which I see has already been added to the comments
I can become obsessed with anything nature related, I’d be much better off focusing on one thing, but too easily distracted. Lichen though, endlessly fascinating and there will never be enough time to find out about them all.
Truly fascinating - I have been seeing these protuberances and wondering about their differences. I have learnt a great deal from this post. Thank you.
That is fascinating! And so the wasps came with the turkey oaks and used other oaks as 2nd hosts in their native range? Or did this cycle only evolve after the introduction of the turkey oak?
The Turkey oaks were planted in the UK about 250 years before the wasps arrived, presumably by being blown over the Channel from continental Europe. They have slowly colonised further north, taking about 45 years to get from Devon in the southwest of England to Scotland. Their second host, the pedunculate oak, was already here and they’ve also taken to the sessile oak.
Hi Felicity, in the last few weeks I've been looking at these also. I knew nothing about them previously. There is a fabulous web resource here - https://www.britishplantgallsociety.org/trees/ and also a FSC key and very nice book in the WildGuides series. I've not found the Knopper Gall yet but I have found a few additional gall species at the Community Woodland. Interestingly I also found a small hymenopteran which was clearly interested in parasitising the inhabitant of Common Spangle Gall (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum). At the moment the identification is tentatively (Torymus) sp, but that may be improved upon, further expert opinion is hopefully forthcoming. When I get my act together I'll post with photos on my blog https://literateherringthisway.blogspot.com/ - I'm still working on some identifications. The life cycles are fascinating and as you say when we introduce plants, either intentionally or accidentally, there will certainly be some "passengers".
I see from your blog that you found the artichoke gall, caused by Andricus foecundatrix. I've yet to spot that.
Look at the very small Oak sapling on the left as you walk up to the shelter from the gate at the CCW.
Who knew there was a British Plant Gallery Society?! Fascinating, the website is well illustrated for ID.
The knopper galls I found were on a planted hedgerow tree going up on to Bogton Braes. I looked at it a couple of days ago and the galls had turned brown, losing their vibrant colours and diminishing their remarkable shape.
This online event Tim shared also looks as if it could reveal more:
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-events/the-gall-of-it-the-astonishing-world-of-plant-galls/
I've always been fascinated by oak galls. I can also recommend the recent Scottish Wildlife Trust webinar about plant galls, which I see has already been added to the comments
That link doesn't seem to work (perhaps because the talk has happened since), but I found the recording of the talk about plant galls at https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/online-talks/
Really fascinating post, Felicity, and great photos. All these on one tree!
And I learned a new word - inquilines!
Yes, it was a new word for me too.
Super interesting, what a fascinating rabbit hole to fall down:)
I know you appreciate the details of trees and woods. Maybe I’ll follow your interest in lichens.
I can become obsessed with anything nature related, I’d be much better off focusing on one thing, but too easily distracted. Lichen though, endlessly fascinating and there will never be enough time to find out about them all.
Truly fascinating - I have been seeing these protuberances and wondering about their differences. I have learnt a great deal from this post. Thank you.
And this is just a toe in the water of this wonderful world.
I can see why you described it as a rabbit hole! Fascinating. Thanks Felicity.
Yes, the more you look, the more there is to see.
Amazing creatures, thanks for this peephole into a fascinating miniature wasp world!
It's inspiring me to look closer at things I used to pass by without a second thought.
That is fascinating! And so the wasps came with the turkey oaks and used other oaks as 2nd hosts in their native range? Or did this cycle only evolve after the introduction of the turkey oak?
Really amazing stuff. Thanks!
The Turkey oaks were planted in the UK about 250 years before the wasps arrived, presumably by being blown over the Channel from continental Europe. They have slowly colonised further north, taking about 45 years to get from Devon in the southwest of England to Scotland. Their second host, the pedunculate oak, was already here and they’ve also taken to the sessile oak.