noun
gall wasp
Any insect of the family Cynipidae. Typically written in katakana as タマバチ in biological contexts.
タマバチは植物に虫こぶを作ることで知られている。
Gall wasps are known for creating galls on plants.
この虫こぶはタマバチの幼虫が原因だ。
This gall is caused by gall wasp larvae.
Compound of たま (tama, 'ball' or 'jewel', referring to the gall) and はち (hachi, 'bee' or 'wasp'). The exact origin is uncertain, but the name likely describes the round galls produced by these insects.