Galls on Cherry Leaves😱 サクラの葉の虫こぶ😱

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

What do you see in these photos? Caterpillars? You're half correct, half incorrect. These are cherry leaves or more specifically galls or abnormal outgrowth of the leaves caused by Tuberocephalus sakurae, i.e., aphids. So, don't even think about looking inside! The galls contain many many aphids😱!! If you want to see monstrous ones, scroll down! 

2026/4/24

Pretty & Gross - Galls on Japanese Snowbell😱 キモカワ - エゴノネコアシ😱

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Something is pretty and GROSS, and Japanese snowbell is one such example. In May, it produces beautiful snow white flowers but a month later, it produces not only beautiful pale green fruits but also something looking like flower buds. Don't be deceived, however. They're galls of Ceratovacuna nekoashi.

A gall is an abnormal, localized outgrowth or swelling of plant tissue caused by infection from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes or irritation by insects and mites (Britannica). And galls on Japanese snowbell trees are caused by APHIDS, meaning these green things which look like some flower buds contain many many aphids😱! If I hadn't known this, I must've touched them!

Galls on Japanese snowbell trees are called "Cat paws on Japanese snowbell" in Japanese and you can see why. The galls look like cat paws, but the name, which doesn't mention the important fact that they aren't cat paws or flowers but contain bugs😂, bothers me...

Ceratovacuna nekoashi エゴノネコアシ

A gall on Styrax japonicus  エゴノネコアシ

Galls on Styrax Japonicus (Japanese Snowbell) are Cute but GROSS😱 エゴノネコアシはキモカワ😱

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Do you know something cute but GROSS? This is a gall of ceratovacuna nekoashi on styrax japonicus or Japanese snowbell. A gall is an abnormal, localized outgrowth or swelling of plant tissue caused by infection from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes or irritation by insects and mites (Britannica). And galls on Japanese snowbell trees are caused by APHIDS, meaning these green things which look like some fruits or flower buds contain many many aphids😱! I didn't know that, so I almost touched the galls!

Galls on Japanese snowbell trees are called "Cat paws on Japanese snowbell" and I see why. The galls look like cat paws, but the name, which doesn't mention the important fact that they aren't cat paws or flowers but contain bugs😂, bothers me... 

A gall on Japanese snowbell エゴノネコアシ