365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Oak Galls
Day 183: On the prairies of southwest Washington, apples grow on oak trees. Oak apples (also known as oak galls) form when a tiny wasp lays an egg on the host species. As the larvae develop, they feed on the plant tissues within the protective skin of the gall. Various species of gall wasp utilize Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) in this manner, with size of the gall and internal characteristics often providing a clue as to the wasp's species. These were well out of reach, so I did not examine the internal structure. And yes, I did consider pasting a "censored" sticker over the one on the top left. Nasty little wasp!
Labels:
Garry Oak,
oak apples,
oak galls,
Quercus garryana,
Yelm-Tenino Trail
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