In-depth articles on gall biology, identification guides, and scientific literature.
By Adam Kranz
•
January 26, 2026
identification
keys
midges
populus
This key is largely based on original categorizations of iNaturalist observations, with some remarks on the limited prior literature. Even moreso than many gall-inducer taxa, midge galls on native Nor...
By Adam Kranz
•
January 26, 2026
identification
guide
A gall is a novel organ grown by a plant when another organism alters the way the plant expresses its genes. Gall-inducers are found in a wide range of taxa. Insects, mites, and fungi are the most com...
By Adam Kranz
•
January 26, 2026
identification
keys
vitis
The Key 1. Integral 1. On main stem, a slight swelling typically directly adjacent to a node. Contains beetle larva and frass: Ampeloglypter sesostris 2. Swollen buds containing gall midge larvae: Con...
By Adam Kranz
•
January 26, 2026
identification
keys
aphids
populus
This key is a synthesis of gall descriptions given in the literature. There is reason to believe that these gall descriptions may not map perfectly onto monophyletic aphid taxa; cases where this is kn...