The Highland Biological Recording Group

Oak Spangle Galls Neuroterus spp.
The Common Spangle Gall Neuroterus quercusbaccarum, the Smooth Spangle Gall N. albipes and the Silk-button Gall N. numismalis are galls produced on the underside of oak leaves Quercus by tiny gall wasps. The first is extremely common. The others are rather less so, but still widespread. These galls have been targeted by HBRG before, but I am sure we could fill in a lot of the gaps in distribution with a little effort. We would welcome records of all these galls, but especially the two scarcer ones. The pictures show the distinctions, which are easily recognised in the field. The Common Spangle Gall has a raised centre, and is covered in reddish hairs (often less densely than the picture shows). The Smooth Spangle Gall also has a raised centre, but looks pale - white, yellow or greenish - sometimes with reddish marks, and is hairless. Both are disc-shaped. The Silk-button Gall is very distinctive in comparison, a deep central hollow surrounded by silky golden hairs. There are many other galls that occur on Oak. The Naturalists' Handbook on 'Plant Galls' will help identify them if you find them, and also provides details of their fascinating and complex life cycles.

Common Spangle Gall N. quercusbaccarum. Photo © Roger Griffith at Wikimedia Commons.	Smooth Spangle Gall N. albipes. Photo © Roger Griffith at Wikimedia Commons.	Silk-button Gall N. numismalis. Photo © Beentree at Wikimedia Commons.