Discover
Identify
Record
Red Pea Gall Wasp - Cynips divisa
Cynips divisa is a Cynipid gall wasp that causes galls to form on Pedunculate and Sessile Oak. These galls are more likely to be seen than the adult wasps.
The Red Pea Gall is caused by the agamic generation on the underside of the Oak leaves. The point of attachment may show as an indistinct spot on the leaf upperside. It is spherical, up to 6mm diameter, has a smooth surface, and is hard (not succulent). The gall is thick-walled and hard to crush, with a circular chamber inside.
The sexual generation gall can be found in the leaf, or sometimes in buds or catkins; it is inconspicuous so less often seen.
The gall can be similar to those caused by other species such as Neuroterus anthracinus, Cynips longiventris and Cynips quercusfolii.
When recording the gall please provide good close ups (a side-on view), and an indication of size. It is helpful to section the gall to look at inner structure.
Check for the presence of tissue flaps, or 'saddle' to eliminate Neuroterus anthracinus.
Anywhere that the host trees grow
Cynips divisa has a life cycle which encompasses a sexual generation as well as an agamic (all female with no need to mate) generation. The two generations cause different galls in different locations of the Pendunculate Oak trees (see above)
Common and widespread in Britain
It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland but is probably under recorde.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Red Currant Gall
- Species group:
- Bees, Wasps, Ants
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Hymenoptera
- Family:
- Cynipidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 21
- First record:
- 03/08/2006 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 05/11/2023 (Timms, Sue)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.