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Apiomorpha urnalis
This thin stem gall is induced by a scale insect (Hemiptera). The insect has reduced features such as wings, head, legs and antennae. It is modified for feeding on plant sap, as hemiptern bugs do, but entirely within its prison/protective capsule.
Several were growing on a stem of yellow box in a suburban park.
Thanks for your information.
Sadly I did not grow the larva parasitoid out. I did not even recognize it at the time. I have seen some other parasitoids in galls however
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/831...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/161...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/804...
The first image is certainly a female. The last two pics are of the same two individuals. I'm guessing the thicker one is an undeveloped female (maybe immature, or unmated?) and the thin larger one is an empty male gall.
Fantastic ! - is that a male and female gall next to each other in pic #2 ? - really is a great series Martin.