Andricus inflator

Description

The cynipid gall wasp Andricus inflator causes galls to occur on various species of oak.

Agamic galls are quite large (up to 6mm diameter), and are spherical or with a small point.  Bud scales are present at the base of the gall, but may drop off old galls

Sexual galls are in twigs, and are hard and woody, causing knobbly swellings, which can persist for some time after being vacated. Inside is a long narrow larval chamber.  To distinguish from other twig galls, it may be necessary to open the gall. 

Similar Species

Similar galls in oak buds are formed by other Andricus species

Similar galls in twigs are formed by the agamic Andricus curvator.  This has a small spherical inner gall

Identification difficulty

Asexual/sexual galls Adult

Habitat

Where oak is present.

When to see it

When oak is in leaf.

UK Status

Widespread but not well recorded in Britain.

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:
10
First record:
09/09/2018 (Bennett, Simon)
Last record:
22/09/2023 (Bell, Melinda)

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.

Latest images

Latest records