What are the red and white balls on my oak tree that look like eyeballs?

Question

They were on there a few weeks ago, but when I looked a few days later, they were gone. They didn't last very long.

They were on there a few weeks ago, but when I looked a few days later, they were gone. They didn't last very long. They were perfectly round and kind of rubbery, like those little balls that bounce really high when you throw them down on a hard surface.

They were hanging from the branches just like the acorns do. I picked one. I'm sure it was part of the tree, not some kind of insect.

Answer 1

wool sower wasp oak galls. harmless. pictures @.whatsthatbug.

Answer 2

I wonder if what you saw was the result of a insect. There is a wasp that places its ovipositor (a specialized body part used for egg laying) under the bark of a Oak tree. The result is what some people refer to as Oak balls. In fact, the ball like formation is due to the irritation. Perhaps you saw them when they were small, and when you went back they had dropped? Though the color you described is a bit off. Pinks are very common.

Another thought, do you think there is a possibility that what you saw were moths or butterflies? Many insects have markings through mimicry ( to give the appearance of threatening, defensive or they are being watched) that would give the appearance of eyes.

One thing that would have been very helpful with this question,
did it appear as if they were growing out of the tree or were they just on the tree.

I'm curious too, good luck!

Answer 3

Could they have been immature acorns that changed into there mature colors of green and brown or just brown ? RScott