Neuroterus politus

Description

The larvae of the gall wasp Neuroterus politus produce galls on Oak (Quercus) species.

The agamic (asexual) galls are in catkins, usually several per catkin.  There is a broad ridge on the young gall, which disappears at maturity.

The sexual galls are in the oak buds and is reported to be the only bud gall that is 'soft and juicy'. 

Similar Species

Several other Andricus species form similar galls in oak catkins and oak buds

Identification difficulty

Agamic/sexual galls Adult

Recording advice

Please provide good close up photographs of the galls - both in the catkin, and removed from the catkin; or in the bud. Please also state the host species when submitting your record.

Habitat

Galls may be encountered wherever the host species (Oak) occurs.

When to see it

Summer and early autumn.

UK Status

Thought to be quite common in Britain, but not well recorded.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bees, Wasps, Ants
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Cynipidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
31/05/2021 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
31/05/2021 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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