Asterodiaspis sp.

Asterodiaspis sp.

Description

Asterodiaspis species are scale insects.  3 species cause a 'pit-gall' on oak twigs: Asterodiaspis quercicola, A minus and A variolosa.  They can't be identified from the galls.  To identify the nymphs and adult females, very detailed microscopic examination is needed; see https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/76993921.pdf

The scale insect creates a small pit in the twig surrounded by a raised rim, c. 2mm across.  The scale insects are greenish or brownish, and sit in the middle of the pit.  

Identification difficulty

Gall insect

Recording advice

These can be recorded on oak; your photos must show the oak twig with buds/leaves as well as the galls

UK Status

common, according to British Plant Galls (Redfern & Shirley, 2023)

VC55 Status

not known - few records

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