Wildlife Spotting

...you're right martin - much to be learned...

Hi martin and Leanne according to CSIRO again ... "Across Australasia, many species from various families of Chalcidoidea (eg. Eulophidae, Pteromalidae) occupy the gall-inhabiting niche otherwise filled by Cynipidae in the Holarctic region."... sorry to use your spotting for this Leanne 8-|

Nice one, Leanne ! I like your yellow grub

Hey martin... according to CSIRO, cynipidae... "This family is very diverse in the northern hemisphere as indicated by the 600+ species that occur in North America. However, the phytophagous Cynipidae are poorly represented in Australia and New Zealand, being known from only six and two described species, respectively, of which at least two are introduced. "... what else do we have I wonder.

I think these are about one third the size of my citrus ones Leanne. Martin, they can't possibly be as tough as fungi. I agree wasps... there must be quite a few of those though?

I suspect a gall wasp. (Cynipid wasps) They belong in the family cynipidae. I fear that there's much to be learned here.

A lovely little string of beads. We're just starting to learn about these. Already so many different types and species to think about. It's strange to think the eucalyptus taken overseas would never see any of this while we're used to every tree having so much other life attached. They must seem to be sterile trees outside Aust.

I believe a parasitic wasp laid her eggs in the vein of the leaf. They produce irritant chemicals causing the plant to grow a gall, protecting and feeding the grub. This is also done by some flies as you have seen.

Interesting spotting!

Hm, very interesting. Glad you broke them open to see what was inside!