Quercus Leaf Lurkers

A few things that I found on the underside of the leaves of a small oak tree yesterday. Galls, parasitoids, egg casings, and who knows what...

The parasitoid wasp Discritulus planiceps uses a sycamore aphid 
(Drepanosiphum platanoidis) as its host, building a disc shaped cocoon 
directly under it (The disc is approx 2.5mm in diameter).

Oyster gall. Produced by the wasp Neuroterus anthracinus.

Oyster gall. Produced by the wasp Neuroterus anthracinus.

Oyster gall. Produced by the wasp Neuroterus anthracinus.

The strange 'sputnik like' sac structures are
 produced by the spider Paidiscura pallens

Oyster gall. Produced by the wasp Neuroterus anthracinus.

Spangle gall. Produced by the wasp Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

First Post

After a twenty year hiatus I have just remembered that I used to enjoy photography! I have decided to make a project of documenting small things here in the garden. To kick things off, here is a selection of photographs that I have taken over the last couple of weeks, mainly at night.