Wasps Attacking Casuarina on Guam and Palau
Posted by aubreymoore on 16 Jan 2009 at 06:00 pm | Tagged as: Uncategorized
- Two wasps prior to emergence
- Wasp exit holes in branchlets with male flowers
A multitude of wasps (body length = 1.22 mm) emerged from Casuarina equisitifolia branchlets collected from a tree in the beginning stages of decline at Polaris Point, Guam on 6 January 2009. Microscopic examination indicates that the wasps are emerging from branchlet tips.
Infested trees have also been found in Yigo and Mangilao. In some cases almost 100% of branchlet tips show feeding damage and exit holes.
Specimens were sent to John LaSalle in Australia. John identifies the wasps as belonging to Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae:
What appears to be the same insect was found by Aubrey Moore in Palau during March, 2009. Specimens were reared by the Palau National Invasive Species Coordinator, Joel Miles and these were sent to John LaSalle for comparison with those collected on Guam.
3 Responses to “Wasps Attacking Casuarina on Guam and Palau”
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John LaSalle confirms that the wasps from Palau, sent to him by Joel Miles, are the same as those from Guam.
Ross Miller brought back some Casuarina branchlets in alcohol from Rota. Exit holes were evident. Alejandro Badilles will try to rear wasps to send to John LaSalle.
During my recent trip I inspected Casuarina growing at Davis, CA (38.541291, -121.739111) and Honolulu, HI (21.330940, -157.91983). No signs of the wasp were seen.