Biorhiza pallida

Biorhiza pallida is a species of gall wasp, a small insect known for its ability to induce galls, or abnormal tissue growths, on plants, most commonly oak trees. These wasps belong to the insect family Cynipidae.1

The oak apple gall, a round, spongy, fruit-like structure typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter, is caused by the larvae of Biorhiza pallida. A single gall can contain around 30 larvae, which feed on the plant tissue within the gall as they develop. Reproduction in gall wasps often occurs through parthenogenesis, where females develop from unfertilized eggs. While most gall wasps are not economically significant, some species' galls have been historically used for their tannic acid content in the production of inks and dyes.1