Favoritos de kimberlietx

This observation is for the unusual growth and NOT for the plant.

Host: Symphyotrichum ericoides

Possibly the same gall former as featured here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55070737

Also have previously found suspected Rhopalomyia gemmaria at this prairie remnant:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/212465624

While I was collecting Polystepha galls to rear out, I noticed quite a few galls that were much smaller, not as crackly textured, and seemed to be different than the Polystepha globosa they appeared with. Even the larvae were different colored. Separated them out into a different rearing container on the off chance I can get adults to compare with P. globosa.

I collected and measured 16. Average size 1.7mm compared to P. globosa which is 2.6mm.

Soooo many Triodanis observations. They are prizes for @Kimberlietx, who challenged me to find like 100 species. LOL. City Nature Challenge Day 2: Dallas - Fort Worth (DFW). Observing at a residential retention pond with a wooded trail that is adjacent to the Hickory Creek Arm of Lewisville Lake in Denton County, Texas.

Shumard Oak

The wool comes off in an average manner. (Not too easily, but not too difficult either.) The galls seemed to be tiny kernels (Pic 7) stuck together with long irregular length wool that "doesn't have visible segments at all; the longer, straighter wool from each kernel just blends together" to quote @megachile They were firmly involved in the midvein and not easy to remove. They were slightly smaller than a sesame seed.

I had to key this one out. The really wide pores made me think it might be T. lamprosperma, but the bracts are longer than wide and the leaves are broadly acute to obtuse, which are both key characters of T. perfoliata.