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Apiomorpha conica

Apiomorpha conica

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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-37.8113, 145.243

Field Notes

Description:

A most unusual and large stem gall with finely engineered opening at one end shaped somewhat like an ancient Roman amphora. About 30mm long.

Habitat:

On the very tip of a large, long-dead eucalyptus branch.

Notes:

Family Eriococcidae. A hemipteran bug which looks like a cross between Jabba the Hutt and those unfortunate foetuses you see in university medical jars.... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8190927

Reference Links:

Apiomorpha conica - Overview, Egg-shaped Gumtree Gall - Apiomorpha conica

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
MartinL
No. This hole is a normal feature used to release frass and crawlers and allow males to enter, I think. The wasp's exit hole is in my linked specimen.
Mark Ridgway
Are you saying the hole in this spotting is result of a parasite? Surely it developed as part of the gall as it has a 'collar' and is perfectly aligned with the overall symmetry ???
MartinL
Argy, sometimes the creature that makes the gall is eaten by something else before you find it. In this case it left an exit hole. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16163159
Mark Ridgway
Sorry martin.. I linked to your Grecian vase instead of your Roman amphora. Thanks. Fixing it now...
MartinL
Argy Bee This gall is built by a hemipteran bug. Here is one that I dissected earlier to reveal the tenant. These fat ones are the females that live more than one year although yours seems to have died and gone dry. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8190927
AntónioGinjaGinja
Great cache Argy,that's a safe house,who buid it must bee fragile :) Congrats and thanks for sharing such a rare animal architecture example

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Nests, hives, bowers, webs & other animal architecture
Photographed
PublishedNovember 15, 2012

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