Science

Seeing a lot of acorns on the ground already? Tiny wasps are to blame

Tiny cynipid wasps have been having a banner year

A picture of an acorn with eggs from cynipid wasps.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says cynipid wasps have been laying eggs in acorns in unusual numbers this year. The larvae kill the acorn, and oak trees have been dropping them in flurries.
Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources