Diplolepis spinosissimae

Diplolepis spinosissimae

Description

The larvae of the gall wasp cause Diplolepis spinosissimae cause galls to form on various rose species, being most frequent on Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima), but also found on other rose species including Dog-rose and Sweet-briar. The galls are smooth, reddish-green, ovoid in shape and may occur on the leaf petiole or protruding from both sides of the leaf but quite often the galls coalesce.  Each gall contains a single white larva.

Identification difficulty

Gall Adult

Recording advice

Gall records for this species must be accompanied by a photograph. Please also state the host species when submitting your record.

Habitat

Galls may be found in areas where the host rose species occur.

When to see it

When rose species are in leaf.

Life History

There is a single generation, with the larva hibernating and pupating in gall.

UK Status

Widespread but infrequent in Britain, most records seem to come from coastal areas where Burnet Rose is more common.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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