Jumping Gall Wasp

Neuroterus saltatorius, also known as the jumping gall wasp, is a species of oak gall wasp. It is found in North America, where it induces galls on a variety of oak trees, including Oregon oak, valley oak, California scrub oak, blue oak, and leather oak.

Like other oak gall wasps, it has two generations: a bisexual generation, and a parthenogenetic female generation. The all-female generation's galls appear in late spring. These round, 1 mm across galls occur on the underside of leaves, and eventually detach and fall into the leaf litter. Adults emerge early the following spring and lay eggs for the bisexual generation. This generation induces galls that are integral to the leaf.