What is a California jumping gall wasp?
Neuroterus saltatorius Edwards, commonly referred to as the jumping gall wasp or the jumping oak gall, is an oak gall wasp that occurs on a variety of white oak species in North America (Figure 1). It is native to the western United States, occurring on several oak species that range from Texas to Washington State.
What is jumping oak gall?
Oak leaf galls are normally harmless, but the jumping oak can defoliate a severely affected tree. Jumping oak galls are tiny, seed-like galls that form on the undersides of white oak leaves. They are caused by the tiny gall wasp, Neuroterus, at or near saltatorius (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae).
Can gall wasps sting?
Gall wasps are insects which are quite small, and unlike the larger wasp species you may be familiar with, they do not sting people.
How do you get rid of jumping oak galls?
If the Oak is Infected with Galls Removing and destroying the small galls when they are developing on twigs and branches before the wasps emerge may help to reduce the infestation. Prune and destroy gall-infested twigs and branches. Burn or step on the galls to kill the developing larvae.
What insects jump eggs?
It is these baby insects that are doing the jumping, bouncing their little homes over the dry ground. They are more properly called California jumping gall wasps, but local people call them “flea seeds”.
Why do jumping oak galls jump?
On the ground, the fallen galls may jump a few centimeters due to the movement of the larva inside the gall. This jumping helps the gall to move into leaf litter or cracks in the soil where the larva will overwinter.
Are oak galls harmful to humans?
“Oak apple galls” are leaves that have developed into a thin sphere because wasps have laid eggs inside of the leaf. Inside the gall is a tiny wasp larva. Most galls, especially on leaves, do not hurt the oak tree, and the wasps aren’t harmful to people either.
What is inside a wasp gall?
Inside the gall is a tiny wasp larva. Most galls, especially on leaves, do not hurt the oak tree, and the wasps aren’t harmful to people either.
What does an adult gall wasp look like?
Citrus Gall Wasp adults are shiny brown-black wasps about 2.5 mm long. Citrus Gall Wasp larvae are white legless grubs about 3 mm long. You won’t see larvae unless you cut open a gall.
What are the little balls that fall from oak trees?
Almost everyone who lives near oak trees has seen the small balls hanging in the tree branches, yet many still may ask: “What are oak galls?” Oak apple galls look like small, round fruit but they are actually plant deformities caused by oak apple gall wasps. The galls generally do not damage the oak tree host.
Should I remove oak galls?
Something you can do now – and I heartily recommend it – is to remove and destroy any galls you can find on the trees. There probably are many on twigs and branches; look for knobby and hard growth. Chances are it’s a gall. By removing it now, you lessen the number of eggs available to hatch come spring.
What are jumping seeds?
They appear on the leaves of the oak trees, and each one contains the larva of a wasp. It is these baby insects that are doing the jumping, bouncing their little homes over the dry ground. They are more properly called California jumping gall wasps, but local people call them “flea seeds”.
Do oak galls hurt the tree?
It is true that oak trees look odd after their leaves fall and the branches are hung with galls. However, the oak apple galls do not injure the tree. At the worst, a severe infestation might make leaves fall early.
What is a wool sower gall?
The wool sower gall is a distinct and unusual plant growth induced by the secretions of the grubs of a tiny gall wasp, Callirhytis seminator. These wasps are about 1/8 inch long, dark brown, and their abdomens are noticeably flattened from side to side. The grubs are translucent to white, plump, and legless.
What do oak gall wasps look like?
Gall wasps are small, brown wasps with the abdomen flattened side to side. Many gall wasps develop for 2 or 3 years in woody galls on the twigs of oaks. Adults then emerge from the twig galls during the winter. They lay eggs in the buds and die.
How many eggs do gall wasps lay?
15 eggs
The adults that emerge from them are both male and female. Mating occurs immediately, after which the males die. But the females don’t have much longer to live! They have about a week in which they lay about 15 eggs, and then the yearly lifecycle of the wasp starts over again.
Does a gall wasp look like?
Adults of most of the approximately 600 species of gall wasps that occur in North America are about 6 to 8 mm (about 0.25 to 0.30 inch) long and black. The shiny abdomen is oval, and the thorax has a sculptured appearance.
When should a gall wasp be cut out?
Prune out galls before June 30 to avoid the need to treat before disposal. Larvae inside the galls will not survive and gall wasp will not be spread. This is essential for controlling the gall wasp. Pruned material can be kept at the property or go into green waste (bin or verge collection) or general rubbish.
What is a gall ball?
These ‘weird little balls’ are called galls, which are plant tissue growths caused by exposure to small doses of hormone-like chemicals, which are produced by the gall makers. The gall makers can be many different things – but usually it is insects that cause them.