Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Robin's Pincushion

Spotted in the middle of a wild dog rose today, this beautiful Robin's Pincushion.
This is a another form of gall, nearly always found on wild roses. 

Also known as a 'Bedeguar Gall', this type is caused by the larvae of the gall wasp, Dipoloepis rosae. The gall is widespread and common, and can be found developing on the stems of Dog-roses during late summer; it acquires a reddish colour as it matures in autumn. Each gall holds many grubs, which feed on the gall tissues throughout the winter and emerge in spring as adults. The adults reproduce asexually and only a tiny number are male.

I'll update with photos as the colour (and season) changes.

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