where the bugs are

so, she takes them to see it and notices that these men are almost giddy over this bug so she starts asking questions and turns out they are from various African countries, are scientists travelling on some sort of research grant, and one of them in particular is specialist in insects and they were all just on their way to their Air B&B

can u believe this

galls are generally formed as follows:

a gall wasp (family cynipid) injects an egg and growth-inducing chemicals into the bud of an oak or other tree. this induces the gall, a growth that forms around the egg. gall shape varies depending on the species of wasp

cynipid larvae hatches within the gall. the gall provides it food and protects it from predators

well... not all predators. a parasitoid wasp may come along! a parasitoid wasp will attempt to oviposit her egg right through the gall and into the cynipid larvae.

if the parasitoid's ovipositor is long enough to successfully reach the cynipid larvae inside, her larvae will hatch and slowly eat the cynipid larvae 🙃😬

fortunately for the cynipid, different galls have different adaptations that reduce the risk of predation -- i.e. some are larger so the parasitoids ovipositor cant reach. others have multiple chambers inside. some even have long hairs or sticky substances on the outside to make it difficult for the parasitoid wasp, etc etc

here are a couple pictures of oak galls from wikimedia commons:

by Andou via Wikimedia Commons

by CriticalDrinking via Wikimedia Commons