Hi Janet,

Looking at the picture it still looks like it must be Taphrina alni. This gall does not need to protrude from the side, I think, as long as it can grow from an ovary of the alder catkin. And when it is young it can be very much pink!

Greetings,

Jojanneke Bijkerk

Hi,
I've just received the following e mail and assumed that the picture would
be of Taphrina alni but when I looked at it I wasn't at all sure. It's more
of a pink bunch at the tip of the cone than a red tongue protuding from the
side. Can anyone help? I don't know if the attached picture will be
forwarded too. If not can someone tell me how to do it?
Janet

>From: "William Gaunt" <william.gaunt1@...>
>To: <janetboyd_entomologist@...>
>Subject: Alder Gall?
>Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:17:42 +0100
>
>Dear Janet
>
>I hope you don't mind me sending this but I believe it is a type of gall.
>
>It was found on Alder cones at Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve in
>North Lincolnshire.  This is one of the Lincolnshire Wildlife trust
>reserves.
>
>If it is a gall could you let me know what causes it as we have never seen
>one like it before?
>
>Thank you in anticipation
>
>Eddie Gaunt
>Chairman of the Scunthorpe and Brigg Area - LWT.