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Apiomorpha frenchi
An almost cylindrical gall with a slightly broader base (point of attachment to the stem). The gall appeared woody with a rough exterior. Pic 3 shows a drier gall which appeared to have annular splits.
The apical end of the gall had rounded edges with a depressed centre and perfectly circular hole.
Spotted on ? possibly Eucalyptus blakelyi (Blakely's red gum) in the Weddin Mountains National Park, NSW.
I hope my identification is correct - I am going by Dr Lyn Cook's (Gall expert) observations in the spotting below. The gall appears to be similar to mine.
http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations...
These galls are made by nymphs (1st instar) of Eriococcid scale insects. The female insect develops to maturity within the gall and mates through the hole in the gall. She reproduces in the gall and the crawlers escape through the apical hole. Females can live up to 5 years.
Spotted on Jul 23, 2017
Submitted on Jul 30, 2017
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