Journal of Hymenoptera Research (2001) 10, 163-180

J.A. Goolsby, C.J. Burwell, J. Makinson and F. Driver (2001)
Investigation of the biology of Hymenoptera associated with Fergusonina sp. (Diptera: Fergusoninidae), a gall fly of Melaleuca quinquenervia, integrating molecular techniques
Journal of Hymenoptera Research 10 (2), 163-180
Abstract: The biologies of eleven species of Hymenoptera associated with the multi-locular galls of the fly, Fergusonina sp. (Fergusoninidae) were investigated. More than 2000 wasps were reared from 1100 galls collected in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia over a two-year period from 1997 to 1999 from Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae). Additional galls from each site were dissected for observation and description of the immature stages. A molecular technique, which involved sequencing the D2 expansion domain of the 28S rRNA gene, was used to match the identity of the immature wasps with their adult forms. Of the eleven species of Hymenoptera associated with the Fergusonina sp. galls, we were able to observe and describe the biology of nine of the species. Eurytoma sp., Coelocyba sp, Neanastatus sp., Cirrospilus sp., Bracon sp., Megastigmus sp. and Poecilocryptus nigromaculatus Cameron, commonly or exclusively, fed directly upon the Fergusonina larvae and or pupae with most species developing on a single host. However, Eurytoma sp., Bracon sp., and P. nigromaculatus usually fed on multiple hosts. These species have specialized biologies, which enable them to chew through plant tissues to access gall inhabitants. Chromeurytoma sp. and Euderus sp. appeared to be hyperparasitoids based on the available evidence. The biological control implications of this suite of Hymenoptera are discussed in terms of their regulatory effect on Fergusonina sp., a potential biological control agent of M. quinquenervia, an invasive weed in Florida, USA.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): John A. Goolsby

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)		Australia (South+SE)
	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)		Australia (NT+QLD)