I still cannot get over the wonder and mystery of what gall wasps can do to plants. This is bio-engineering! The wasp lays her egg and somehow the plant makes a structure that is not a fruit, it is not a seed, it is not a leaf or stem. It's a wholly recombinant architecture customized to the needs of the growing young larva. The plant provides food and shelter-- It's like a cancer, but with a purpose.

How did it evolve? How is it done!?

(Photo by Timothy Boomer, https://wildmacro.com/)

Natural History Photography | Wild Macro

Insect, Spider, Wildflower, Mushroom & Natural History Fine Art Photography By Timothy Boomer.

@futurebird Not all galls are so pretty.
@MacSmiley @futurebird “Oh, this is pretty. Wait, they said not so pretty. Looks up thread. Yeah, I can see how this tree isn’t as nice and colorful. But still somewhat pretty.”
@becomingwisest @futurebird You have some gall to tell me that’s a pretty tree. 😜