#oakgall

Pen and inks

Two kinds of gall on a valley oak. #valleyoak #quercuslobata #oakgall #andricusquercuscalifornicus #californiagallwasp #andricuskingi #redconegallwasp #gallwasp #sciart #naturesketching https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo78auvArBx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t8f794ddzs31

Oak artichoke gall (Andricus foecundatrix). This gall is chemically induced by wasp eggs laid in buds of pedunculate and sessile oak, particularly scrub specimens. Once grown this structure is often invaded by inquiline species (those that live in the nests of other species) that are harmless to the developing wasp larvae, benefitting from the galls' protection and starch concentration. Ripley, 19/07/17 #gall #andricus #andricusfoecundatrix #cynipidae #parasite #artichokegall #oak #wasp #gallwasp #oakgall #surreywildlife (at Ripley, Surrey)

I posted a few days ago about making ink from oak galls and came to realize some people had no idea what a gall is. I found quite a few on my walk today so thought I’d share. Galls ate formed when an insect, in this case a wasp, lays an egg in a plant—usually in a twig. The plant responds by creating a casing around the intrusion, giving shelter and food to the larva. The wasp bores a single hole to escape and by the time we find them they are usually empty and dried up. This is a hood time of year to find them as they get blown off branches, etc. do be aware that other insects, eggs, etc. may be inside if you bring them home. #capecod #oak #oakgall #wasp #nature #plant #getoutside https://www.instagram.com/p/CMfgy26nsH4/?igshid=o2q0oym4393m

Experimenting with making ink from oak galls today. The brown is the result of crushing and boiling the galls. I added some ferrous sulphate to get the gray/ black. I think I needed to soak and boil it longer but it was a fun start. #capecod #naturalink #oakgall #oakgallink #diyartsupplies #makeyourown #ink #paint #brushwork https://www.instagram.com/p/CMaSWQhn_ZN/?igshid=1srjg2mhjrh13

Jujubes . . #oakgall #gallwasp #waspgall #waspgallofinstagram #andricuskingi #redconegallwasp #redconewaspgall #parasite #symbiote #oakleafgall (at Ukiah, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEr5SXBJ__u/?igshid=r8gko7lazvvn