Phytoparasitica (2003) 31 (3) - A gall wasp (Hymenoptera: ...

A. Protasov, Z. Mendel, Z. Madar and Nitza Saphir (2003)
A gall wasp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), a new pest of eucalyptus trees in Israel
Phytoparasitica 31 (3)
Abstracts 20th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, Feb. 11-12, 2003
Abstract: In recent years a new pest of eucalyptus, a gall wasp, almost certainly of Australian origin, has become established in Israel. The wasp damages eucalyptus saplings in nurseries and young trees. A survey of the infestation suggests that the wasp has already covered much of the country, to date having been found in the area between the southern Golan and the western Negev. The wasp has been detected in Iran and Algeria as well. It is probably a new species of genus Baryscapus; identification is not yet complete. The gall's diameter is ~ 1.5 cm. Several larvae develop in a single gall. The galls are formed on the leaves in the abaxial leaf central vein, in the petiole and in young shoots. Preliminary observations suggest that the wasp life-cycle is approximately 3 months in the warm season. Among the 35 species of Eucalyptus spp. examined, six have been found to be suitable hosts: E. camaldulensis, E. erythrocorys, E. grandis, E. robusta, E. tereticornis, and E. saligna; the first seems to be the most susceptible one. The hybrid E. torwood is also a suitable host. From the severe injury caused to trees of E. camaldulensis in Israel, and the fact that the wasp has not been detected in Australia, it has been suggested that, in Australia, natural enemies may control the gall wasp populations. These species may serve as appropriate candidates for classical biological control in the new areas colonized by the wasp.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Alexey Protasov, Zvi Mendel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
new introduction of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Baryscapus (genus)	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Iran
	Baryscapus (genus)	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Algeria
	Baryscapus (genus)	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Israel