SOME FEATURES OF OAK GALL GROWTH. 19 



when disagreeable, the taste is in some instances clue 

 to the larva wathin will readily be understood from the 

 previous quotation. 



Spatlieciastev haccaruin on catkins has the least taste 

 of any kind. It is soft and very juicy. The larva 

 itself is but slightly acid in taste. Aiidricns curvoAor 

 is sappy, but somewdiat bitter; A. glandulse, A. soli- 

 fariiis, Aphilothriv albopunctata, and A. fecundatrix are 

 not disagreeable, but they are devoid of a distinctive 

 flavour. The rind of A. SieboJdl is slightly sw^eet, but 

 the w^oody part is unpleasant. 



All the species of the Drijoj^hanta and Netiroterus 

 genera are insipid. That is probably due to the fact 

 that although rich in starch they are poor in tannin. 

 Trigonasjns crustalis is the most unpleasant of an}- 

 kind. It is bitter and ver^^ disagreeable, which is 

 probal)ly due to tannin and gallic acid. These flavours 

 may have a deterrent effect upon the appetites of 

 Lepidopterous and Coleopterous larva9, since rarely 

 are galls seen that have been attacked by them, 

 Teras terminalis being an exception. Birds also may 

 be warned off most kinds by the same cause. One 

 kind, however, is greedily devoured by ground-birds 

 in the North. The galls of Neuroterns lenticularis are 

 extensively eaten by game-birds, notably Black-game 

 {Tetrao tetrw, L.) In the crop of many of these birds 

 large quantities of the galls were found along with 

 other food. The crop of one bird contained a number 

 estimated at " not less than 500 " (' Trans. Ento. Soc.,' 

 1907, pt. iv, p. 84). Doubtless pheasants, partridges, 

 and other ground-birds thoroughout the country feed 

 upon these galls. 



