Image of Phanacis hypochoeridis (Kieffer 1887)

Description:

Gall swelling on the flower stems of some of the established catsear (Hypochoeris radicata) plants along the roadside through the Burwood plantation. This photo was taken between the end of Bower Ave. and the Christchurch dump. No insect larvae were found inside during field dissections of some of the galls, but the swellings match the galls caused by the gall wasp, Phanacis hypochcheridis. Part of the plant was pressed.