View source for Tetramesa romana (weed bioagent)

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<font color="#008000">'''''Tetramesa romana'' (weed bioagent)'''</font> (Walker, 1873) - (arundo wasp)

This wasp forms galls on the giant reed, ''[[Arundo donax (weed)|Arundo donax]]'', a serious weed in a number of countries. It is native to southern Europe and host specific to giant reeds. The wasp propagates parthenogenetically and females lay eggs into the shoot of a reed plant. The larvae develop inside the shoot and the upper stem, causing swelling and the formation of galls. Adult wasps emerge after about one month through exit holes which are visible on the swollen shoots. Parasitised reeds show stunting and dead stems.

The wasp has been released in the southern U.S. starting in 2009. By 2016, the biomass of the weedy reeds had declined by around 50% in several areas. Releases in other countries affected by giant reeds (e.g. New Zealand) have started or are planned.

[[Category:Eurytomidae (weed bioagents)]]