Hello everyone,
In Cecidology Vol 24, No.1. P 10-11, I mentioned that the catkin form of this
gall had been found at the Attenborough Arboretum, Knighton, Leicester on
24.10.2008. I kept one gall to rear out and just by chance, I spotted a hole
and decided to X-section the gall to have a look at the internal structure. [See
new photos in "Maggies Galls" folder]. There were cells with a white larva in
each [inducer, inquiline or parasitoid?]; also a caterpillar skin, frass and
silken cocoons in the central cavity. The caterpillar must have been
parasitised. I put these into a tube to rear out separately.
On 23.3.2009, an insect emerged from one of the silken cocoons - it looks to be
some sort of female ichneumon - but I have no idea what species - can anyone
help with i/d here? Just think, if I hadn't actually sectioned the gall and seen
the contents, I would have assumed that the ichneumon was from the gall itself
and not the visiting parasitised caterpillar. Tricky!
Two other "acorn-cup" forms of asexual A. grossulariae galls were also found and
these are now producing chalcids, yet to be identified.... and more ichneumons -
but darker in colour??
It is always fascinating to rear out galls and decide on the sequence of events,
when the occupants emerge.
'bye for now,
Maggie