Discover Top Posts Tagged with #leaf gall

Some of the nature from my walk today.

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Have you ever seen these weird balls attached to a leaf and wondered what on earth they are? The answer is such a cool little biology fact! These things are called oak leaf galls and they are created when an insect (usually a species of non-stinging wasp) lays its eggs on the leaf of a living tree. The plant tissue is irritated and develops this protective growth around the gall-makers egg. The insect larvae can then spend weeks growing safe from predators inside the gall. These leaf galls are actually really common especially here in Florida, so keep an eye out next time you’re out on a nature walk and you can impress all of your friends with this fascinating fun fact!