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Looks Like Fungus, But Its Not Gallery

Gall

Gall - Plant cells that have been stimulated to form a safe growing area for another species.   They can be caused by insects, mites, bacteria, fungi and nematodes.  The most common are formed by insects (moth, beetle, fly, aphid, wasp) that lay eggs in a plant.  Each gall is unique to its maker's species.  Unless the infestation is severe, galls do not harm the host plant.

? Common Name **zx 1** Scientific Name

Tan ball about 1" round.  The surface is grainy.  Ants feed off the drops oozing from the surface.  Growing on a Live Oak tree twig.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2004

Hunting Similar Species

Mealy-oak Gall Disholcaspis cinerosa, a wasp

Oak Apple Gall Amphibolips confluenta, a wasp

? Common Name **zx 2** Scientific Name

Red / pink ball, most are about 1/4" round.  Grows on underside of leaves only.  The surface is fuzzy.  Not sure what host tree, may be an oak.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2004

? Common Name **zx 3a** Scientific Name

This is probably a gall.  Red 1/8" round-ish blobs or fuzzy coating on Storks Bill.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005

Similar (or the same) Species

? Common Name **zx 3b** Scientific Name

This is probably a gall.  Red 1/8" round-ish blobs or fuzzy coating on weed near a pond.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2005

? Common Name **zx 5** Scientific name

Fuzzy golden ball about 1" round.  Growing on the back of a Post Oak leaf.

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

? Common Name **zx 6** Scientific name

Ribbed gall, 3/8" tall and perpendicular to leaf.  Growing on the top of a Winged Elm leaf.

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

Hunting Similar Species

Nail Galls = Eriophyes tiliae = mite

Slippery Elm Pouch Galls are elongated pouches on the upper surface of elm leave. Filled by female aphids and their offspring. Usually, only one gall occurs per leaf.

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