Gall

Galls are distinctive growths on plants caused by the activity of insects. Galls can be caused by different Orders of insect but are commonly the result of actions by parasitic hymenoptera.

Gall wasps induce plants to produce galls and these swollen structures protect the developing larvae of the wasp.

A photograph of a gall on an Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) induced by a sawfly (Pontania californica syn. Pontania pacifica).
Photograph by Franco Folini licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Gnat

Related groups of terms

• Insect life cycles

Related pages on this web site

• Bees, Wasps and Ants - Order Hymenoptera

See other words beginning with G