Abstract
The Erythrina gall wasp Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an invasive insect that induces galls on coral trees (species of Erythrina, Fabaceae) in urban and suburban landscapes. Weakening and death of the tree were both observed after the infestation by this insect, wherein feeding and consequent draining of nutrients by a large population of Q. erythrinae could be playing a key role. In this article, we consolidate and summarize the information on the distribution, invasion route, ecology, infestation level, and management of Q. erythrinae populations in the last two decades and analyze the challenges in their management.
Highlights
Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim is a gall-inducing wasp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) which was not known until year 2000, when it became a serious invasive pest [1]
Many species of Erythrina were reported being attacked; for example, five species and a subspecies of coral trees are found affected in Taiwan, which are E. variegata L., E. variegata var. orientalis (L.)
Two decades have passed since the discovery of Q. erythrinae, and it is time that we looked at what we have known and learnt from the outbreak of this gall-inducing, invasive insect
Summary
Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim is a gall-inducing wasp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) which was not known until year 2000, when it became a serious invasive pest [1]. This tiny wasp (1–3 mm in body length) exhibits sexual dimorphism in body size and color (Figure 1A): males being smaller, white and brown; the females larger, orange and brown [1]. Quadrastichus erythrinae induces galls (Figure 1B) on new flushes of leaves, young stems and petioles of species of Erythrina that the infested trees wither and die.
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