Biorhiza pallida, Oak Apple Gall

Common Name: Oak Apple Gall

This is one of our most well-known galls. It occurs on both our native oak species, as well as other oak species, and can be found across the UK. It’s caused by a gall wasp, Biorhiza pallida.

The wasp lays her eggs inside a dormant leaf bud, which then hatch in spring and start the process for the formation of galls. Inside the gall, there are a number of chambers, each housing a larva which eats its way out. Adults emerge in June and July and the galls tend to drop from the trees, when the larvae are mature and ready to fly. However, some remain on the tree, going very woody.

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