The Unmitigated Gall..

While standing outside the shop this morning taking a smoke break,I happened to look down and notice a small pile of amber colored seeds at my feet,beneath a Live-Oak tree.
Nothing unusual about that this time of year,..wait?,..Oaks grow from acorns..
Plus!.. These seeds were moving erratically about,and literally jumping several inches above the asphalt!
..No wind,mind you.

I took a minute's worth of video of this phenomenon,but I think it's best observed at around the 45 second mark..



I pointed this out to a couple of the fellas who've lived in this area all their lives.
They thought it was interesting enough,but couldn't tell me what the hell the story was.

One thing I've never been able to tolerate,is a question I can't answer.
I will seriously lose sleep over this type of thing.
..No way am I lettin' this go!

So,when I got home,I lickity-split on over to Google.

Most folks are familiar with Mexican jumping beans,..that they jump because there is a larval worm dwelling inside.
These things are no bigger than the head of a pin,but I figured that would be a good place to start.

Nope...Not even so much as a cross reference.

What should I call these things?..
How about, 'Oak jumping seeds'?

BINGO!!..
'The California Jumping Gall'!

Check it out..The tiny 'Jumping Oak Gall Wasp' (Neuroterus Saltatorius) deposits it's eggs inside the stems of Oak leaves.
The Oak defends itself by forming a gall around the offending egg,which in turn serves to protect the wasp's larvae while it develops.
(Aren't you just lovin' the poetry in this motion?)..

The gall jumps because the larvae is attempting to regulate it's temperature.
In about three months the fully formed adult wasp,which is about the size of your average flea,emerges!


Turns out,there are several species of the little bugger,..one of which makes it's home in edible figs.
In fact,the fig produces a nutlet in response to this intrusion.
The nutlets formed by the wasp's pollination provide the nutty flavor and crunch in your Fig Newtons!


..I know I'm gonna sleep better knowing this.