# Willow Apple Gall Sawfly (*euura californica*) The Willow Apple Gall Sawfly is a tiny insect that creates cool, round galls on willow trees! These galls are like little homes for the larvae, making the tree look like it's wearing funny hats. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Willow trees, often found near water sources. - **Also known as:** Apple Gall Sawfly, Willow Gall Fly, Willow Gall Wasp ![Willow Apple Gall Sawfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Salix_lasiolepis_gall_Pontania_californica.jpg&width=800) Photo: Franco Folini from San Francisco, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salix_lasiolepis_gall_Pontania_californica.jpg) ## Appearance The Willow Apple Gall Sawfly is a small, dark, wasp-like insect with clear wings. While the sawfly itself is unassuming, it creates striking, spherical galls on willow leaves, which are typically red or green and resemble tiny apples. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Tenthredinidae - **Genus:** Euura ## Interesting facts - It uses a saw-like tool to cut into leaves to lay its tiny eggs. - Sawflies are actually closer relatives to wasps and bees, not flies! - The gall changes the willow leaf's growth to make a perfect home. - Those "apples" on willows are not fruit, but a sawfly's amazing nursery! ## Special abilities - **Gall Architect:** Willow Apple Gall Sawfly can chemically induce a spherical "apple" gall on willow leaves because of its egg-laying process, providing a protective home and food for its larvae. - **Plant Manipulator:** Willow Apple Gall Sawfly has the ability to reprogram plant growth because its eggs release chemicals that force willow leaves to create a nutritious, protective chamber around its developing young. - **Saw-Blade Ovipositor:** Willow Apple Gall Sawfly has a saw-like egg-laying tool that helps them slice into willow leaves to deposit eggs, initiating the formation of the distinctive apple gall. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 6-10 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae feed exclusively on inner willow leaf tissues inside their protective galls; adults rarely feed or sip nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume plant tissue within galls; adults may feed on nectar or not at all. - **Primary Foods:** Willow leaves, Willow plant tissue, Nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Arroyo Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arroyo-willow) (*Salix lasiolepis*) — lays eggs and larvae feed on its leaves - **Parasitizes:** Gall Parasitic Wasp (*Pteromalus pontaniae*) — lays eggs inside the sawfly larvae within the gall - **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — birds may open galls to eat larvae ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Willow Apple Gall Sawfly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Willow Apple Gall Sawfly's wingspan? 6-10 mm ### How big is Willow Apple Gall Sawfly? 3-5 mm ### How long does Willow Apple Gall Sawfly live? 7-14 days ### What does Willow Apple Gall Sawfly eat? Larvae feed exclusively on inner willow leaf tissues inside their protective galls; adults rarely feed or sip nectar. ### Where is Willow Apple Gall Sawfly usually found? Willow trees, often found near water sources. ### How does Willow Apple Gall Sawfly hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Willow Apple Gall Sawfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Puvunga](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/puvunga) — California, US · Historic District - [Venice Canal Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/venice-canal-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Lands End](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lands-end) — California, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Willow Apple Gall Sawfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/willow-apple-gall-sawfly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Willow Apple Gall Sawfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willow-apple-gall-sawfly)