Ophelimus maskelli
Appearance
Ophelimus maskelli | |
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Galls on Eucalyptus caused by Ophelimus maskelli | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Eulophidae |
Genus: | Ophelimus |
Species: | O. maskelli
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Binomial name | |
Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead, 1900)
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Synonyms | |
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Ophelimus maskelli is a species of chalcid wasp about 1mm long, known as the eucalyptus gall wasp, found in Australia, Mediterranean Region, and the Middle East. It is considered a plant pest as females lay eggs on immature eucalyptus leaves; the larvae produce galls on the leaves. Heavy infestations induce much galling which causes widespread defoliation and loss of growth. Wasps may emerge in large numbers in the spring, forming clouds which are a nuisance to humans.[1]
In Australia and Israel members of the genus of fairy wasps Stethynium, were being investigated in 2006 as possible biological control agents for Ophelimus maskelli.[2]
References
- ^ "Ophelimus maskelli". Agri.huji.ac.il. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- ^ John T. Huber; Zvi Mendel; Alex Protasov; John La Salle (2006). "Two new Australian species of Stethynium (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), larval parasitoids of Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Eucalyptus" (PDF). Journal of Natural History. 40 (32–34): 1909–1921. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.514.8818. doi:10.1080/00222930601046428. ISSN 1464-5262.