The Cairngorms Up-Close: Gallery
[CAIRNGORMS UP-CLOSE] [DEEPGREEN.EARTH]
Category: GALLS
Birch mite gall (Acalitus longisetosus)
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 17 June 2021
About: Maps of records within Great Britain suggest that these mite-produced galls of birch leaves are most often encountered in the Scottish Highlands.
Cauliflower mite gall (Aceria fraxinivora)
Where and when encountered: Boat of Garten on 28 August 2025
About: These galls on ash inflorescences are the work of the mite Aceria fraxinivora – a species, going by records in the NBN Atlas, with a rather patchy distribution in Great Britain.
Aceria nalepai
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 28 October 2021
About: These galls on alder leaves are the work of the mite Aceria nalepai, a species found throughout Great Britain.
Sycamore felt gall (Aceria pseudoplatani agg)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 8 September 2025
About: These galls on a sycamore leaf are the work of the mite Aceria pseudoplatani, a species aggregate found in many corners of Great Britain.
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR SPECIES]
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR AGGREGATE]
Cooley spruce gall (Adelges cooleyi)
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 5 August 2024
About: Cooley spruce galls are caused by adelgid bugs of the species Adelges cooleyi. This insect has alternate generations, one on spruces and the other on Douglas fir. Most records for the species in Great Britain are from the Scottish Highlands.
Artichoke gall (Andricus foecundatrix)
Where and when encountered: Highland Wildlife Park on 13 August 2025
About: This gall on an oak bud is the work of the wasp Andricus foecundatrix, a species found in various corners of Great Britain.
Marble gall (Andricus kollari)
Where and when encountered: Tomintoul on 2 September 2025
About: These galls on oak buds are the work of the wasp Andricus kollari, a species found in most parts of Great Britain.
Knopper gall (Andricus quercuscalicis)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 7 September 2022
About: Knopper galls are chemically induced distortions of acorns caused by gall wasps of the species Andricus quercuscalicis, and they can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Anisostephus betulinus
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 9 July 2022
About: These galls on birch leaves are the work of a midge. The midge larvae leave the galls between July and September. The Great British distribution of the species is not especially clear, on account of limited recording.
Ergot (Claviceps purpurea)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 2 August 2025
About: Ergot is a gall caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea and can be found throughout Great Britain as distorted seeds of various wild grasses, including cock's-foot and red fescue.
Contarinia petioli
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 May 2025
About: The galls photographed, in the petiole of an aspen leaf, are the work of the midge Contarinia petioli. Most records of the species in Great Britain come from the Scottish Highlands.
Cynips agama
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 22 September 2025
About: This gall on an oak leaf is the work of the wasp Cynips agama. The species is somewhat uncommon in Great Britain, and records in the NBN Atlas are too few in number to comment with any confidence on the geographical distribution.
Red-pea gall (Cynips divisa)
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 22 September 2025
About: These galls on an oak leaf are the work of the wasp Cynips divisa, a species with a scattered distribution in Great Britain.
Striped pea gall (Cynips longiventris)
Where and when encountered: Tomintoul on 2 September 2025
About: This galls on an oak leaf is the work of the wasp Cynips longiventris, a species found in many parts of Great Britain.
Dasineura urticae
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 25 August 2022
About: Distortions to the leaves of nettle caused by the gall mite Dasineura urticae may be encountered from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Robin's pin-cushion (Diplolepis rosae)
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 25 August 2022
About: Robin's pin-cushion galls (also known as bedeguar galls) are caused by the gall wasp Diplolepis rosae and can be found on wild roses throughout much of Great Britain.
Hawthorn–carrot aphid gall (Dysaphis crataegi agg)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 June 2021
About: The 'hawthorn–carrot aphid' is a name given to a cluster of very closely related species. In all species, the aphids develop in galls on the foliage of hawthorns, their primary host, and then disperse to various umbellifers, including wild carrot. The galls can be found in various parts of Great Britain.
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR SPECIES]
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR AGGREGATE]
Eriophyes arianus
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 22 September 2025
About: These galls on a common whitebeam leaf are the work of the mite Eriophyes arianus. Records in the NBN Atlas are too few in number to comment with any confidence on the species' geographical distribution in Great Britain.
Eriophyes distinguendus
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 23 August 2025
About: This gall on the leaf of a bird cherry is the work of the mite Eriophyes distinguendus. Based on the limited records in the NBN Atlas, this would appear to be a species primarily found in the Scottish Highlands.
Eriophyes diversipunctatus
Where and when encountered: Balliefurth Farm on 20 June 2022
About: Almost all records in the NBN Atlas of the mites responsible for these aspen galls come from the upper Spey valley in the Scottish Highlands.
Eriophyes laevis
Where and when encountered: Carrbridge golf course on 2 September 2021
About: These galls on alder leaves are most probably the work of the mite Eriophyes laevis, a species found throughout Great Britain.
Editor's note: The gall key that I use suggests that the identification of any gall mite on Alnus is tentative only without examination of the mite.
Eriophyes pyri
Where and when encountered: Strath Mashie on 18 August 2025
About: These galls on rowan leaves are the work of the mite Eriophyes pyri, a species with a scattered distribution in Great Britain. This species of mite also causes galls on pear trees.
Eriophyes similis
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 12 August 2025
About: These galls on blackthorn leaves are the work of the mite Eriophyes similis, a species found in many corners of Great Britain.
Willow sawfly gall (Euura pedunculi)
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 13 September 2025
About: This gall on eared willow is the work of the sawfly Euura pedunculi, a species found in many corners of Great Britain.
Cowberry redleaf gall (Exobasidium vaccinii)
Where and when encountered: Sluggan (Carrbridge) on 8 July 2022
About: Cowberry redleaf is a fungus-induced gall in which leaves of the host-plant turn red and develop into a cup-shape. The fungus responsible can also cause galls to form on other parts of cowberry and, in addition, can affect some other plant species.
Geocrypta galii
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 23 June 2024
About: These galls are the work of the gall midge Geocrypta galii, a species known from various corners of Great Britain.
Gymnosporangium clavariiforme
Where and when encountered: Carrbridge golf course on 2 September 2021
About: This galled haw was most probably caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium clavariiforme. The alternate stage in the life-cycle of this widely scattered fungus occurs as conspicuous orange protuberances on common juniper known as 'tongues of fire'.
Editor's note: The gall key that I use suggests that it cannot be definitively stated that this gall was the work of Gymnosporangium clavariiforme, with G. confusum also being a possible agent.
Tongues of fire (Gymnosporangium clavariiforme telial)
Where and when encountered: Glenfeshie on 28 April 2023
About: The alternate stage in the life-cycle of this widely scattered fungus occurs on hawthorn.
Rowan crown gall (Gymnosporangium cornutum)
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 26 August 2021
About: This fungal gall is a relatively common sight on rowan trees in the Scottish Highlands but rarely encountered elsewhere in Great Britain.
Harmandiola tremulae
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 10 August 2023
About: These galls, the work of the midge species Harmandiola tremulae, form on the leaves of aspen trees and can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Hairy beech gall (Hartigiola annulipes)
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 2 August 2024
About: Hairy beech galls – not all of which are markedly pubescent – are the work of midges in the species Hartigiola annulipes. Like the host tree, beech, they can be found in most parts of Great Britain.
Macrodiplosis pustularis
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 17 September 2025
About: Gall midges of the species Macrodiplosis pustularis cause characteristic folds to form on the lobes of oak leaves. The galls can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Macrodiplosis roboris
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 August 2024
About: Gall midges of the species Macrodiplosis roboris cause characteristic folds to form between the lobes of oak leaves. The galls can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Miarus campanulae
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 1 August 2025
About: This gall on a harebell flower is the work of the true weevil Miarus campanulae, a species with a much higher abundance in the southern half than the northern half of Great Britain.
Microbotryum bistortarum
Where and when encountered: Tulloch on 8 June 2025
About: The spore-releasing galls in the photograph are the work of the fungus Microbotryum bistortarum, a little-recorded species in Great Britain.
Oyster gall (Neuroterus anthracinus)
Where and when encountered: Dulnain Bridge on 11 October 2025
About: These flaps on the midrib of an oak leaf are the remains of shed oyster galls – the work of gall wasps in the species Neuroterus anthracinus.
Silk-button gall (Neuroterus numismalis)
Where and when encountered: Glenbeg on 22 September 2025
About: These galls on an oak leaf are the work of the wasp Neuroterus numismalis, a species found in many parts of Great Britain.
Currant gall (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum)
Where and when encountered: West Port near Cromdale on 4 June 2022
About: Currant galls are formed on the flowers and foliage of oak trees by the sexual generation of wasps in the species Neuroterus quercusbaccarum. The agamic generation of these wasps is responsible for spangle galls, also on oaks. The Scottish Highlands are one of the larger parts of the species' patchy distribution in Great Britain, at least judging by records available through the NBN Atlas.
Spangle gall (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum agamic)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 7 September 2022
About: Spangle galls are formed on the leaves of oak trees by the agamic generation of wasps in the species Neuroterus quercusbaccarum. The sexual generation of these wasps is responsible for currant galls, also on oaks. The Scottish Highlands are one of the larger parts of the species' patchy distribution in Great Britain, at least judging by records available through the NBN Atlas.
Rose rust (Phragmidium mucronatum)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 8 July 2025
About: These bright-orange aecia are produced by the gall-causing rust fungus Phragmidium mucronatuma species whose different life-stages are all associated with roses.
Violet bramble rust (Phragmidium violaceum)
Where and when encountered: Kingussie on 19 August 2025
About: Violet bramble rust is a gall caused by the fungus Phragmidium violaceum and may be encountered on bramble leaves in most corners of Great Britain.
Phyllocoptes eupadi
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 30 May 2022
About: These galls, on bird cherry, are the work of mites in the species Phyllocoptes eupadi. They can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Psyllopsis fraxini agg
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 20 June 2024
About: This gall on ash is the work of a jumping plant louse belonging to the Psyllopsis fraxini species aggregate. These jumping plant lice can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR SPECIES]
[NBN ATLAS (SCOTLAND) DATA FOR AGGREGATE]
Puccinia urticata
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 17 June 2021
About: The distortion of nettle stems and leaves caused by the fungus Puccinia urticata can be remarkable in nature. The Scottish Highlands are one of the areas of Great Britain where these galls are most commonly found.
Editor's note: In the photograph, numerous fruiting bodies – from which spores disperse – are clearly visible.
Pucciniastrum pyrolae
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 17 November 2025
About: The darkened reddish splotches on the leaf of a wintergreen (Pyrola) are the work of the rust fungus Pucciniastrum pyrolae, a species with a scattered distribution in Great Britain.
Editor's note: I am pretty confident of this species identification.
Years with at least one adult record: 2025 (1)
Rabdophaga marginemtorquens
Where and when encountered: Highland Wildlife Park on 13 August 2025
About: These galls on osier leaves are the work of the midge Rabdophaga marginemtorquens, a species with a scattered distribution in Great Britain.
Pine resin gall (Retinia resinella)
Where and when encountered: Sluggan (Carrbridge) on 15 June 2025
About: This gall on Scots pine is the work of the moth Retinia resinella, a species with a scattered distribution in Great Britain that includes much of the eastern Scottish Highlands.
Alder tongue gall (Taphrina alni)
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 16 August 2021
About: These fungus-caused galls of the female catkins of alder trees can develop into tongue-like protuberances. They can be found in various parts of Great Britain.
Birch besom (Taphrina betulina)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 23 November 2025
About: The fungus Taphrina betulina causes masses of densely branched twigs to from on birch trees. The species can be found from the far north to the far south of Great Britain.
Editor's note: I cannot state definitively that Taphrina betulina was the cause of the gall photographed on birch here, as it is possible that there was some other agent .
Bird cherry pocket (Taphrina padi)
Where and when encountered: Milton Loch on 22 June 2024
About: This pocket gall on bird cherry is the work of the fungus Taphrina padi. The galls can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Fig gall (Tetraneura ulmi)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 25 May 2025
About: The fig gall is produced on elm leaves by the aphid Tetraneura ulmi.
Trioza remota gall
Where and when encountered: Blair Atholl on 24 September 2025
About: This gall on an oak leaf is the work of a jumping plant louse belonging to the species Trioza remota. This insect can be found in various corners of Great Britain.
Pine bud mite gall (Trisetacus pini)
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 28 May 2022
About: Within Great Britain, these mite-caused galls of young pine branches are restricted almost entirely to the Scottish Highlands.
Juniper berry mite gall (Trisetacus quadrisetus)
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 17 November 2025
About: This gall of a juniper 'berry' is the work of Trisetacus quadrisetus. At the time of writing, there is not a single record of this galling mite in the NBN Atlas, and so it is not possible to comment on the species' distribution within Great Britain.
Selected galleries
[ALL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS] [ARCTIC ALPINE PLANTS] [BUTTERFLIES] [COLOURFUL MOTHS] [DRAGONFLIES] [FORBS] [GALLS] [GRASSLAND ORCHIDS] [HOVERFLIES] [INSECTS OF EXPOSED RIVER SEDIMENT] [LONGHORN BEETLES] [PINE-ASSOCIATED FUNGI] [PLANT BUGS] [SHIELDBUGS] [UNCOMMON PINEWOOD HERBS] [WOODY PLANTS]