gall wasp

noun

1. any wasp of the family Cynipidae, the larvae of which form characteristic galls on plants.

gall wasp

noun

1. any small solitary wasp of the family Cynipidae and related families that produces galls in plant tissue, which provide shelter and food for the larvae

Word History and Origins

Origin of gall wasp¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Oak galls produced by the egg of an insect,—the female gall wasp.

From Project Gutenberg

Galls are abnormal growths found upon oaks, and caused by the gall wasp laying eggs in the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

The European galls are formed by the female gall-wasp which drops an egg in the rind of young branches of certain oaks.

From Project Gutenberg