Robin's Pincushion

Name: Robin's Pincushion

Scientific name: Diplolepis rosae

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: The robin's pincushion is a gall, caused by a tiny gall wasp called Dipoloepis rosae and can be found on the stems of wild roses.

How to identify: Unmistakeable.

Where: Widespread

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 50
• Cute factor: 40
• Traveller: 40

Fantastic fact: Female gall wasps lay their eggs into their host plants, which causes the plants to swell up into characteristic odd shapes. The larvae feed on the plant tissue inside the galls.

Photograph credit: Colin Cubitt