The Living Forest (58) : Lime Nail Galls
Galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant or tree tissues and can be caused by various parasites, mostly by insects like gall wasps and gall flies, but also some fungi, bacteria and mites can be the origin.
The gall insects lay their eggs on the leaf surface and at the same time secrete a chemical that causes the cells on the leaf surface to expand and grow over the eggs forming the gall.
The larvae then feed inside the gall until fully grown, completely protected against predators, cold and rain.
Galls are not really spectacular, but some are quite colourful like these Nail galls (coming from a gall mite) growing on Lime leaves.
Dutch name : Lindenhoorntje
German name : Hörnchen-Galle
Latin name : Eriophyes tiliae
odeveld219 13. Mai 2012, 20:32
Heel mooie foto! Knap gefotografeerd interessante uileg!!Groeten, Odeveld
Anca Silvia B. 13. April 2011, 11:19
Sehr schön..lg ancaJacques BURY 13. April 2011, 9:59
Very decorative those galls.*****Pozer Katalin 2. Juli 2009, 22:58
What a special eyes you have! You notice every small thing in the forest....Thanks for it. I think a lot of things, plants and animals are well-known here with your help.
Splendid, clear shot.
Hugs, kati
Saska S. 27. Juni 2009, 19:39
Great image and explanation. Thank you, my friend.Regards, Saska
Gaby Falkenberg 22. Juni 2009, 19:54
So etwas hab ich noch nie gesehen,diese sehr ungewöhnliche Pflanze hast Du feinstens ins Bild grückt.
LG.Gaby
Comy 22. Juni 2009, 0:28
+++† Ushie Farkas 21. Juni 2009, 19:47
I never have seen it before, Mark, an great,fantastic shot!Salut Ushie
Hans-Reiner Bohn 21. Juni 2009, 13:36
As I see, you'll keep your nature lessons going on....Very natural colours!
gruss, reiner
Mu Sik 21. Juni 2009, 10:49
looks really fascinatingDeryck 21. Juni 2009, 8:23
I have seen them many times, but not in the red variety. Thank you for the interesting documentary. It is very infromative.Deryck
Vitória Castelo Santos 20. Juni 2009, 22:35
WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ryszard Basta 20. Juni 2009, 21:40
super QualiJeannyL 20. Juni 2009, 19:59
noch nie gehört oder gesehen Markwunderbar fotografiert
LG Jeanny
Natalja Dralova 20. Juni 2009, 19:17
Very interesting photo and the information, I never such saw...