doreenL2009
Secret Visitor
Explore on November 8,2009.
Textures from FlyPaper...White shagreen, Leaky garret and Necopolis.
Many of the goldenrod in our fields have these bulbous growths on their stems. They contain the larva of the Eurosta (gall fly). In the fall the female Eurosta deposits eggs on just the right species of goldenrod. The resulting fly larva excretes chemicals which induce the plant to produce a gall. This becomes the larva's food. As the gall grows, the larva excavates a central chamber in which it will live until
the following Spring. Before it settles down for the winter though, it also excavates an emergence tunnel...preparing for Spring. Fascinating stuff....more marvels of nature.
Secret Visitor
Explore on November 8,2009.
Textures from FlyPaper...White shagreen, Leaky garret and Necopolis.
Many of the goldenrod in our fields have these bulbous growths on their stems. They contain the larva of the Eurosta (gall fly). In the fall the female Eurosta deposits eggs on just the right species of goldenrod. The resulting fly larva excretes chemicals which induce the plant to produce a gall. This becomes the larva's food. As the gall grows, the larva excavates a central chamber in which it will live until
the following Spring. Before it settles down for the winter though, it also excavates an emergence tunnel...preparing for Spring. Fascinating stuff....more marvels of nature.