The Microcommunity Associated with the Gall of Walshia amorphella (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterygidae) on Amorpha fruticosa

Abstract

This microcommunity was studied over a 4-year period in Seward County, Nebraska. Of 243 galls examined in 1960, 85 showed evidence of activities of other insects, while normal emergence of the gall maker was indicated in 158. Parasites of Walshia amorphella Clemens that were found included the ichneumonid Phaeogenes walshiae walshiae Ashmead, the eupelmids Enpehnus sp. and E. cyaniceps Ashmead, and the braconid Microgaster ecdytolophae Muesebeck. Insects occupying galls after emergence of W. amorphella included a thysanopteran, Tubulifera sp.; an undetermined membracid nymph; the ant Leptothorax curvispinosus Mayr; the sphecid wasp Trypoxylon frigidum Smith; and the colletid bee Hylaeus cressoni (Cockerell). From H. cressoni two parasites were reared, the gasteruptiid Rhydinofoenus floridanus bradleyi Townes and the encyrtid Coelopencyrtus hylaei Burks. No biological information has been published previously for any North American member of the subfamily Gasteruptiinae.