Cottonwool Gall

Cottonwool Gall - Andricus quercusramuli f. sexual

Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Description

The sexual gall of the gall-wasp is a spherical mass of white hairs on oak catkins, up to 3cm across. Inside are up to 20 chambers, each occupied by one larva.

[Note: the agamic galls are formed in oak buds]

Identification difficulty

Recording advice

Photograph the gall on oak, and note the host species

Habitat

native oak trees

UK Status

Widespread but uncommon (British Plant Galls, Redfern & Shirley, 2023)

VC55 Status

Rare/rarely recorded

Further Information

See British Plant Galls (Redfern & Shirley, 2023)

Peter Smith
Thurcaston, bridleway to Coffin Bridge
02 May 2025
sexual generation on Oak
Michael2000
Garden, Loughborough.
26 May 2025
Barbara Cooper
Long Clawson
23 May 2012
cottonwool gall - sexual generation on Oak
Peter Smith
Thurcaston, bridleway to Coffin Bridge
02 May 2025
Melinda Bell
Heather,QEDJWood
06 May 2024
sexual generation on Oak
Barbara Cooper
Long Clawson
23 May 2012
cottonwool gall - sexual generation
sue
Bagworth Heath CP, area near scrapes
07 June 2025
section through galls showing multiple cells
sue
Bagworth Heath CP, area near scrapes
07 June 2025