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Robins Pincushion
PeterD-2009
Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
Whilst on a walk through the Hayling Island nature reserve I found this object on a rose shrub along the trail. It is a gall with relationship between flora and fauna. The object is obviously flora but the fauna aspect is explained below the image.
Galls are formed by the host plant as a reaction to chemicals being injected by gall wasps. The gall forms protection to the larvae of the wasps until they emerge in the spring as young adult wasps. Each Gall wasp specialises in a particular plant which aids identification of the wasp larvae by identifying the plant on which the Gall is formed. It is fascinating to see this interaction between insects and plants. It is easy to appreciate the advantage given to the wasp by this relationship but I cannot think of any advantage for the plant.
This Gall is caused by the Diplolepis rosae Gall wasp injecting chemicals in the leaf bud of a rose.
Thought this may be of interest and encourage you to find more.
Best wishes
Galls are formed by the host plant as a reaction to chemicals being injected by gall wasps. The gall forms protection to the larvae of the wasps until they emerge in the spring as young adult wasps. Each Gall wasp specialises in a particular plant which aids identification of the wasp larvae by identifying the plant on which the Gall is formed. It is fascinating to see this interaction between insects and plants. It is easy to appreciate the advantage given to the wasp by this relationship but I cannot think of any advantage for the plant.
This Gall is caused by the Diplolepis rosae Gall wasp injecting chemicals in the leaf bud of a rose.
Thought this may be of interest and encourage you to find more.
Best wishes
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