Hey Dopeheads, can you help me identify an insect by a desription of its nest?
Unfortunately, I have no picture of it, but here’s my description: In my backyard we have a pretty grand live oak tree, that sheds quite a few small sticks. My dog brought me one of the sticks when I noticed the nest connected to it. The nest is about the size of a pinball or one of those rubber superballs. the stick goes through the center of the nest and it looks to me like the tree bark grows over it in a very thin layer. I cracked one open (with the help of the dog) and inside it resembles wood. Like the insect tricks the tree into thinking it is part of it so that a layer of bark will grow over it to protect from outside dangers. There are also tiny little tunnels going all through the faux wood and an exit hole. It seems to me it may house larvae only, as the exit hole is a bit bigger than the inner tunnels.
Im mostly wondering because bugs fascinate me and I would like to know if my dogs or tree are in any danger for eating or housing them.
So what kind of bug do I have?
Thanks Beowulff! I think thats the right track. Mine actually are slightly different from those pics on the linked page. The difference being there is only one and the stick actually goes through the center of the nest like a marshmallow over a fire. I think it’s safe to say close enough. Never would’ve thought it would be a type of wasp! Interesting! Thanks
different wasps produce different galls.
they were used to produce a component to make ink.
It is certainly a gall, probably from a gall wasp - impossible to say exactly what insect made it without seeing it, and even then it may not be possible.
Galls are formed when an insect (usually a wasp, but flies, moths etc… can also do this) deposit eggs in plant material (stems, leaves, roots etc…). This induces the plant to form a “gall”, which is essentially a plant tumor around the eggs. This gives the larvae a protected environment in which to develop, and they feed on the gall tissue. When they pupate and mature, they bore out and emerge as adult - this is what the tunnels and exit holes you observed were.
Gall formation can be induced directly by the eggs, or the female can inoculate hormones to induce them. Some insects carry symbiotic viruses or other microorganisms that they inoculate along with the eggs that induce the gall formation.
Wow! So the tree is actually creating the Gall by manipulation from the insect. I was wondering how the wasp created the woody looking material inside the gall (ignorance fought).
Is it weird to be this fascinated by bugs?
heh. I have a PhD in Entomology (and am a working research entomologist), so in my opinion, No.
Nice! Making money researching bugs…Heaven!!
How I envy thee 
