Spangle Gall Wasp - Neuroterus quercusbaccarum

The cynipid wasp Neuroterus quercusbaccarum has both agamic and sexual generations which cause different galls to occur on Oak. The gall is more likely to be seen than the adult wasp.

The sexual Currant Galls are spherical, smooth, succulent, berry-like galls up to 7 mm in diameter which vary in colour from pale yellow through green to red or purple. These galls may occur on Oak leaves or catkins.

The disc-shaped agamic Spangle Galls can be very abundant.  They are covered with tufts of reddish hairs.  They fall from the leaf in autumn and the larvae overwinter in leaf litter.

Neuroterus albipes and N tricolor have similar disc-shaped galls on the underside of oak leaves

Agamic gall Sexual gall Adult

Provide photos of sexual (currant) galls

Anywhere that Oak is present.

As described below.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.