Once I saw these little fluffy things in France, I began to see them more often back in Belgium (particularly on rose bushes). But I must admit, at first it wasn't obvious to me what it was. I never saw them in North America, or anywhere else for that matter. Have YOU?
2 comments:
Hello Courtenay,
the "thing" is a GALL. Bedeguar Gall on your picture or Robin’s Pincushion. A insect (here Diplolepis rosae, a Cynips )initiates the formation by piercing the plant and depositing an egg. The fluids deposited cause a plant cell multiplication. The larvae that hatches from the egg develops within a cavity inside the gall. Later it becomes an adult that chews its way out of the gall.
Galls are of many forms and are all around us... just take a close look at wild plants and trees ...
See http://www.pznow.co.uk/wildlife/gall.html
Love to all from Mady
Great to hear from you Mady! It was interesting to learn that Jean Witvrouw, who installed the house martin nests on our house, was also familiar with the bedeguar gall. I've always found galls intriguing, and especially this one, because it looks so fuzzy. What a beautiful home it is!
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