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Apiomorpha munita
These are four winged galls induced by an eriococcid gall-forming scale insect (hemipteran). The female gall has a broad base with four horns that are like blades in this case . Pic 2 shows two short tubular male galls arising from the female gall.
There were numerous galls seen on this tree trunk arising from what looked like massive scars(pic 4).
Spotted on a swamp gum (Eucalyptus ovata) in a reserve.
The blades on the galls are rather dramatic, twisting and flexing in all directions. The female insect is wingless and remains in the gall all her life. Males are weak fliers but they do leave the gall to find a mate.
I did not want to dissect any of these as the reference has all the details.
https://sites.google.com/site/insectsoft...
Family: Eriococcidae
Spotted on Feb 2, 2020
Submitted on Feb 2, 2020
7 Comments
Thanks Neil & Sergio. They are fascinating but I am still looking for good comprehensive information on galls. This is my first sighting of male galls on these female Apiomorpha galls.
I've seen galls in every size, shape and collors, but these ones stand off. Galls make a fascinating world, and I'd be really attracted to it, if I was a biologist. The way they reconfigure the hostage plant for their own purposes is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for showing yet another sample of that world, Leuba.
Beautiful spotting, Leuba. What odd-looking things these are, and I had no idea there were male and female galls.
Yes Hema. Like the other Apiomorpha galls they start off green and go brown with age.
Are these green in color?Nice one!!
Thanks Maria. I've never seen so many of A.munita galls before and definitely not seen male galls - an exciting find.
Wow - this is a really fascinating spotting, Leuba! I likely would have just assumed these were some kind of emerging leaves on the tree. And the fact that the female insect never leaves the gall is also interesting!