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Ornamentals and Turf |
The wool sower gall is a distinct and unusual plant growth induced by the secretions of the grubs of a tiny gall wasp, Callirhytis seminator. If a fresh wool sower gall is held in a plastic bag out of the sun (so it will not get too hot), within one to three weeks the tiny, harmless gall wasps will emerge. The wool sower gall is specific to white oak and only occurs in the spring. Pulling the gall apart exposes small seed-like structures. The gall wasp grubs develop inside these structures. (This gall is also called the oak seed gall.) Fortunately, wool sower galls are hardly ever abundant enough to cause harm to white oaks. Gall wasps invariably have alternation of generations in which one generation develops in one kind of gall (leaf gall) and their offspring develop in another kind of gall (stem gall). Wasps of each alternate generation are slightly different in size and the galls of each generation are enormously different from the parents. The wool sower gall may be the leaf gall of this species because of its transient nature. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note No. 5 provides additional information on galls.
Earwigs are an occasional nuisance in and around the home and sometimes in gardens where they nibble on young plants. Some people object to the appearance of earwigs (especially the pincers at the rear), and others find their odor objectionable. They do not bite. They normally hide in moist places under pots, stones, wood, loose boards, and other areas during the day and emerge at night to feed on tender plants or decaying material. Earwigs are chiefly outdoor insects and they do not regularly crawl into buildings on their own. They are sometimes residents in greenhouses. Earwigs are not strong fliers. To get aloft they have to climb up something and launch into space. They are not usually a serious problem. Sanitation and removing debris and harborage are the best advice.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on April 29, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
