Oak apple 5326576 221973713 2008-06-26T23:03:46Z Rosser1954 1382292 /* Superstitions */ [[Image:Oak apple.jpg|right|thumb|An oak apple on a tree in [[Worcestershire]], [[England]]]] An '''oak apple''' is a mutation of an [[oak]] leaf caused by chemicals injected by the [[larvae]] of certain kinds of [[gall wasp]]. They are so called because the [[gall]], which can measure up to 5 [[centimetre|cm]] in diameter but is normally only around 2 cm, looks a little like an [[apple]]. European oak apples are caused by the ''[[Biorhiza pallida]]'' gall wasp and American oak apples by ''[[Amphibolips confluenta]]''. <ref>Oxford English Dictionary</ref> Oak apples may be brownish or reddish. The wasp larva that lives inside oak apples are a good source of bait for fishing, and also are useful as a survival food.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} [[Image:Oak apple Wiltshire October 2007.JPG|thumb|left|220px|Oak apples on the undersides of oak leaves, [[Wiltshire]], [[England]] October 2007]] == Superstitions == If a 'worm' is found inside the gall on [[Michaelmas Day]] then the year will be pleasant and unexceptional. If a spider is found then it will be a bad year with shortages and ruined crops. If a fly is found inside then it will be a moderate season and if nothing is found then serious diesases will occur all that year.<ref name="Roud">Roud, Steven (2003) ''The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland.'' Pengun Books. P. 344.</ref> {{Clear}} ==references== <references/> ==See also== * [[Oak Apple Day]] * [[Iron gall ink]] * [[Oak marble gall]] * [[Knopper gall]] * [[Pineapple gall]] * [[Rose bedeguar gall]] * [[Oak artichoke gall]] ==External links== * [http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/oak_apple_gall_wasp.htm Amphibolips confluenta] * [http://www.oldknobbley.com/woodland_ecology/insects/insect_gall_wasp.php Biorhiza pallida] * [http://www.glosnats.org.uk/images/news/oak_apple.jpg Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society photograph of galls with 'red apple' appearance] See also:[http://www.glosnats.org.uk/news/archive041.php] {{Commonscat|Oak apples}} {{Fagales-stub}} [[bg:Шикалка]] [[cs:Duběnka]] [[pt:Bugalho]] [[Category:Plant pathogens and diseases]] [[Category:Wasps]] [[Category:Fagaceae]]