original stem galls painting
gouache painting on hot-press watercolor paper
matted and framed w/ Museum glass (see photo)
Image size: 12.5 x 15.75 inches
Framed size: 20.5 x 15.75 inches (approximate)
This painting shows seven different galls that occur on the stems of the goldenrods Solidago altissima, S. canadensis, or S. gigantea. Each type of gall is caused by a different insect species, including two flies, some midges, and two moths. The specimens I collected and painted are shown in their subtly beautiful fall or winter colors, after the vegetation has turned brown. Six different stems showing spherical galls from the Goldenrod gall fly Eurosta solidaginis are included in order to demonstrate the variety of forms and sizes that occur. My research for this artwork was supported in part by a grant from the Access Copyright Foundation.
The individual stems are hand numbered in pencil near the bottoms of each; this is not shown in the main image but you can see it in the photo of the framed painting. I can provide an identification guide for the stem galls to the buyer.