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Project Noah Nature School
This hemipteran gall forming bug is living inside this elongated red gall. The smaller one growing on the leaf has a trumpet flange on the end and will be the male bug. They are one odd couple!
On a small eucalyptus branch.
Here is a similar one http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/819... There were several older woody galls with exit holes of a predator.
I've added a dissection. The Eriococcid bug seems to be at the distal end of the gall, away from the branch and close to prying wasps. They are usually at the base end. I wonder how mobile they are within their home?
Yes Leuba, male galls are smaller and male insects are smaller. Males live a very short life, grow wings and leave, in search of conquests. Females remain imprisoned by their protective walls. Some females live for several years.
great pictures Martin ! and thanks for the information - interesting. It seems like generally most galls produced by male insects are smaller and tubular ?
Spotted on Mar 3, 2012
Submitted on Mar 3, 2012
