Silverleaf Oak Gall Near the Green Mountain Trail at 6,000 ft. in the Santa Catalina Mountains — Image by kenne
“Oak galls are caused by a group of small insects known as gall makers. Galls are a part of the insect’s reproductive cycle and provide a protected enclosure for development of offspring (larvae). The gall is formed by the tree in reaction to insect-released chemicals or other stimuli, which incite plant hormones to form the gall. The inside of the gall is rich with protein and provides a source of concentrated food for the developing larvae.” — Tony Bratsch
