Plant galls are fascinating structures, what I find most interesting is their huge diversity of shapes, colours and textures. It is often possible to see several different types of gall on the same tree all a result of a different species of cynipid wasp. While the ultimate cause of these growths is down to wasps, the tissues which make up the gall are plant. The mechanism by which wasps induce gall formation is not fully understood, but it is thought that secretions from the egg or larvae are the initial trigger.
This particular gall is the common spangle gall, caused by the cynipid wasp, Neuroterus quercusbaccarum. The gall is induced by an adult wasp, it provides a nutrient source for the larvae developing within.
The animation shown below was constructed from synthetic stereo images produced by the image stacking software I use, Zerene stacker. It gives an idea of the 3D structure of the gall.
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