Living
up to its name, the Robin's pincushion is a red, round, hairy growth
that can be seen on wild roses. It is caused by the larvae of a tiny
gall wasp that feeds on the host plant, but causes little damage.
About
The
Robin's pincushion (also known as the 'Bedeguar Gall') is a gall caused
by the larvae of a tiny gall wasp, Dipoloepis rosae. The gall is
widespread and common, and can be found developing on the stems of
Dog-roses during late summer; it acquires its reddish colour as it
matures in autumn. Each gall holds many grubs, which feed on the gall
tissues throughout the winter and emerge in spring as adults. The adults
reproduce asexually and only a tiny number are male.How to identify
Unmistakeable:
the Robin's pincushion is a spherical, red, fibrous growth on the stems
of Dog-roses. You are more likely to see the galls than the adult gall
wasps or the grubs.Distribution
Widespread.Did you know?
Female gall wasps lay their
eggs on their host plants, which causes the plants to swell up into
characteristically odd shapes. The larvae feed on the plant tissue
inside the galls.
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