Help identify these eggs attached to a leaf
March 12, 2016 3:29 PM Subscribe
Asking this for my five-year-old son. He found these eggs attached to a leaf while we were raking.
They are rock hard, and firmly attached to the dead leaf. Each has a tiny hole in it, presumably where the critters exited the "egg." We live in Western Canada (Calgary, AB).
They are rock hard, and firmly attached to the dead leaf. Each has a tiny hole in it, presumably where the critters exited the "egg." We live in Western Canada (Calgary, AB).
Response by poster: Well it is an oak leaf. We had lots of hornets last year so this makes sense. Thanks!
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2016
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2016
Best answer: Note that the gall is not actually an egg - it's abnormal plant growth that occurs where a larva is living.
posted by Redstart at 4:19 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Redstart at 4:19 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
I don't believe that hornets make galls. Usually there is a much smaller solitary wasp involved and they rarely sting.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 4:39 PM on March 12, 2016
posted by WalkerWestridge at 4:39 PM on March 12, 2016
Best answer: Oak galls are awesome! They're not limited to oaks, though, nor are they limited to leaves.
For the purposes of your 5-year-old, calling it an egg is good enough. Basically, a tiny insect chewed at the leaf (it's not always chewing, but it'll do for a 5-y.o.) and hid some eggs on the underside of the leaf, where no one would ever find them. The tiny insect flew away, and some time later, lots of other, littler tiny insects hatched. They went on to chew holes on the undersides of leaves and lay more eggs, and on and on.
Go walking through an area with a lot of oak trees or fallen leaves and if your kiddo looks closely enough, he can find lots and lots of galls. They're practically everywhere, if you know what to look for.
You've stumbled onto a really cool science lesson/treasure hunt.
posted by mudpuppie at 5:45 PM on March 12, 2016 [5 favorites]
For the purposes of your 5-year-old, calling it an egg is good enough. Basically, a tiny insect chewed at the leaf (it's not always chewing, but it'll do for a 5-y.o.) and hid some eggs on the underside of the leaf, where no one would ever find them. The tiny insect flew away, and some time later, lots of other, littler tiny insects hatched. They went on to chew holes on the undersides of leaves and lay more eggs, and on and on.
Go walking through an area with a lot of oak trees or fallen leaves and if your kiddo looks closely enough, he can find lots and lots of galls. They're practically everywhere, if you know what to look for.
You've stumbled onto a really cool science lesson/treasure hunt.
posted by mudpuppie at 5:45 PM on March 12, 2016 [5 favorites]
I'd never heard of a gall until I read this ask. And then while doing some cruising on Youtube I happened across this video about them.
posted by Caravantea at 9:28 PM on March 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by Caravantea at 9:28 PM on March 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
That was a great little video Caravantea!
posted by WalkerWestridge at 10:21 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 10:21 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cecic at 3:48 PM on March 12, 2016 [2 favorites]