Phanacis hypochoeridis

Phanacis hypochoeridis

Description

The cynipid wasp Phanacis hypochoeridis causes galls to form in Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata). This takes the form of an elongated swelling, usually in the main stem of the plant, but sometimes in the flower stalk or petiole, succulent at first, later hard often wrinkled inside – up to 50 chambers, each with a yellowish-white larva.

It is a unisexual species, with males rare or absent; the females reproduce by parthenogenesis

Identification difficulty

Gall  Adult

Habitat

Where Cat's-ear occurs.

When to see it

Summer and autumn.

UK Status

Widespread but uncommon or under-recorded in Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records