Callirhytis quercusgemmaria - Quebec, Canada Dear entomologists, I am looking for more information and a better understanding of this phenomenon. Can you help? Here is what I understand so far (could be wrong). A wasp (Callirhytis quercusgemmaria) has deposited an egg in a small branch of a red oak tree. This has created a gall as seen on the photo. This particular type of gall feeds the wasp larva but also exudes a sweet nectar which attracts the ants (Camponotus sp.). In return the ants protect the tree against predators, mostly caterpillars. A sort of mutualist relationship between the oak, the wasp and the ants.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 14:19:32 +0000