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February 2021 EcoQuest: Love Vine and Gall Wasps

Scott with Love Vine

Scott P. Egan, Rice University

Love vine on wasp gall on live oak!

Love Vine in a tree

Love vine (Cassytha filiformis)

In developing this month’s EcoQuest, Lookin’ for Love Vine, we came across the research of scientists from Rice University on the interaction between Cassytha filiformis and gall wasps, which both parasitize live oaks (Quercus virginiana and Q. geminata).  We spoke with Dr. Egan about how our project could contribute to his research, and he would like to see where we observe love vine in Sarasota and Manatee counties. And if there is a presence of gall wasps as well, even better! So this month, as we’re out there lookin’ for love, love vine, that is, we can contribute to a unique body of scientific research.

Check out the video he made for us here, explaining their research in greater detail:

SPECIAL NOTE: When making your love vine observations in iNaturalist, please indicate interactions you see in the NOTES field, such as “on live oak” or “on cabbage palm.” If  you see love vine attached to gall wasps, please indicate that in the notes field, “growing on gall wasps on live oak.”

FUN FACT: Their discovery was recently featured as a clue on Jeopardy!

What are ‘wasps’ for $800, Alex?

Love Vine Jeopardy Question

Learn more about the February 2021 EcoQuest Challenge here.