i was taught that the tree makes them but then someone told me the wasps make them and i can’t figure out which is true.

by desertdweller2011

9 Comments

  1. Potatoalpha1213

    if they’re galls they’re made by a bug

  2. Both. Wasp induces the gall. Plant makes gall

  3. hypatiaredux

    Yes, it’s a joint effort. Neither the tree nor the wasp is passive in this encounter.

  4. Jumpy-Bid-8458

    The bug does a thing (maybe chew on plant) the wound causes the plant to create the growth with specific cells. 

  5. SchistyGeologist

    Once the wasp has emerged you can use the darkened husk to make ink!

  6. rubyfive

    Think of it like a tumor or another kind of disease. The tree was forced to make the gall in response to the presence of disease. Without the presence of the disease pathogen (aka insect egg), there’s no beneficial reason for the tree to spend extra energy making that gall.

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