Gall Wasp, Finglandrigg Wood Nature Reserve, 19 December 15
Gall Wasp in the Finglandrigg Wood Nature Reserve, 19 December 15.
This specimen was found on a wooden fencepost under an oak tree and was initially misidentified as an ant, presumed to be a queen due to its size (judged to be about 6-7m in length, but not measured). Many thanks to rockwolf for pointing out that it's actually a wingless gall wasp! Biorhiza (or Biorrhiza) pallida, ie the Oak Apple Gall Causer, would appear to be a good fit from both the physical and behavioural point of view, as it's known to be active around oaks on warmer winter days. The only fly in the ointment is that there are currently no Cumbrian records for this species in the NBN Gateway database - which, of course, proves nothing!
In my defence, another observer also described this species as "an ant-like insect":
www.ispotnature.org/node/11225
The main purpose of this afternoon's visit was - of course! - to carry on with my relentless search for Forest Bug nymphs. A total of 12 second-instars were found during a 90-minute fencepost survey, under unusually mild conditions for the time of year (15 deg C, according to the forecast). Although seven were photographed, I couldn't in all conscience post any more shots of this species this year - hence the above photo!
Gall Wasp, Finglandrigg Wood Nature Reserve, 19 December 15
Gall Wasp in the Finglandrigg Wood Nature Reserve, 19 December 15.
This specimen was found on a wooden fencepost under an oak tree and was initially misidentified as an ant, presumed to be a queen due to its size (judged to be about 6-7m in length, but not measured). Many thanks to rockwolf for pointing out that it's actually a wingless gall wasp! Biorhiza (or Biorrhiza) pallida, ie the Oak Apple Gall Causer, would appear to be a good fit from both the physical and behavioural point of view, as it's known to be active around oaks on warmer winter days. The only fly in the ointment is that there are currently no Cumbrian records for this species in the NBN Gateway database - which, of course, proves nothing!
In my defence, another observer also described this species as "an ant-like insect":
www.ispotnature.org/node/11225
The main purpose of this afternoon's visit was - of course! - to carry on with my relentless search for Forest Bug nymphs. A total of 12 second-instars were found during a 90-minute fencepost survey, under unusually mild conditions for the time of year (15 deg C, according to the forecast). Although seven were photographed, I couldn't in all conscience post any more shots of this species this year - hence the above photo!