GALL INDUCING MOTHS
 
When I saw plant galls for the first time I wanted to know what species there were to be found basically, and so I started collecting anything that looked like a plant gall. Boxes full of them I have now. Nowadays I think it is better for me to take pictures (digital or slides) and when you are interested in the gall maker itself, it is a good idea to try to get the inhabitants to emerge from the galls. The list of species described below are gall makers and their hosts, from species that I myself or another gall studying person has seen. A description is given and, where possible, a picture. For people who are interested in the Dutch distribution of pant galls can soon take a look at the database we are preparing for this website. Since the subject of plant galls becomes more popular only recently, we do not have yet such an extended database. Any contribution is welcome!

Adaina microdactyla, this moth causes plain galls in the stems of Eupatorium cannabinum. The galls are situated in the main or side stem and are about 10 cm long. They contain a white and pink caterpillar with a yellow brown head. The gall contains al lot of frass.

  

Petrova resinella is a moth on Pinus sylvestris which can be found in many places where this tree grows, usually in areas with heather. Big lumps of raisin are stuck to the branches. They are slightly elongated and only on one side of the branch. Under the cover of raisin you find the caterpillar, not so beautiful with colours, brown, but since the caterpillar is totally hidden from the world it is of course not necessary for it to scare predators away with fancy colours. The caterpillar can reside in the gall for up to two years, before it pupates.

Stenolechia gemella causes cilindric or spindle shaped swellings at the tops of young twigs on oak, Quercus. According to British Plant Galls (p. 402) the galls can be up to 6 cm long. The gall on the picture is abandoned and a little dried. The frass excreted by the moth is still visible. The white caterpillar with its chestnut coloured head (DvL) lives in a long chanel in the branch and the caterpillar emerges in June, whn it pupates from the gall of the soil.  
found by E. van den Ham in the Stuttebos, Friesland.

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