Oak Cynipid Gall Wasps

Primarily found on oak trees (Quercus species), especially on the undersides of leaves or on twigs where these galls are formed.

Larvae feed on the nutrient-rich plant tissues provided by the gall as they develop; adults generally do not feed or feed very little on nectar.

Female wasps lay eggs in plant tissue, secreting chemicals that hijack the plant's growth to form a protective gall. The larvae develop inside the woolly structure for protection from predators and the environment.

Generally harmless to the overall health of the tree, though heavy infestations can cause aesthetic damage or leaf drop. They are important members of the ecosystem, supporting a variety of parasitoid wasps.