Cynipidae Research Articles

Synergus Hartig species group (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) with partially smooth mesopleurae from the New World.

Inquiline oak gall wasps from the genus Synergus Hartig (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) that occur in the New World should be classified into the following morphological groups: i) species with the radial cell of fore wings open; ii) species with the radial cell of fore wings closed and mesopleurae completely sculptured, always with transversal striae covering its surface; iii) species with the radial cell of fore wings closed and mesopleurae partially smooth, with the speculum always shiny and not sculptured. The latter group, which appears to be unique to the New World's fauna, is the focus of this study. An exhaustive taxonomical revision of all the Synergus species within this morphological group is carried out for the first time after the initial treatment by Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar (2017). Redescriptions, images and new distribution and biological data are provided. A new species from Mexico, Synergus aurofacies Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar, sp. nov., is here formally described and illustrated. Synergus variegatus McCracken Egbert, 1922 is a junior synonym of S. flavens McCracken Egbert, 1922 syn. nov.; S. profusus McCracken Egbert, 1922 is a junior synonym of S. pacificus McCracken Egbert, 1922 syn. nov.; and S. flavus Kieffer, 1904 and S. varicolor Fullaway, 1911 are junior synonyms of S. pomiformis (Ashmead, 1885) syn. nov. A key to species of this group is provided. The morphological traits of the species with partially smooth mesopleurae are discussed.

Review of the Synergus Hartig Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) Associated with Woolly Galls on Oaks from the New World, with the Description of a New Species from Mexico

A review of the inquiline oak gall wasp species of the genus Synergus Hartig that are known to be associated with Cynipini woolly galls on oaks (Quercus L.) from the New World is conducted for the first time. Redescriptions, remarks, pictures and/or new location and biological data for the species previously known from the New World are given. Comments on morphological variability and host associations of different species, and especially that of S. pseudofilicornisLobato-Vila and Pujade-Villar, 2018, are also provided. A new species that emerged from galls collected in Mexico is formally described and illustrated: Synergus forcadellae Lobato-Vila and Pujade-Villar, new species. An identification key to all the species addressed in this work is provided. Synergus nigerFullaway, 1911 is considered a new synonym of S. citriformis (Ashmead, 1885), and S. similisGillette, 1896 a new synonym of S. filicornisCameron, 1883.

Biological control of eucalyptus Gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Punjab, India

In this investigation, biological control of eucalyptus Gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Punjab, India was investigated. The genus Leptocybe Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was founded with its type species, L. invasa from Israel in 2004. Adult wasps of L. invasa induce galls on the shoots and midribs of leaves of Eucalyptus sp. and also damage nursery seedlings and young plantations. In the present study, survey was carried out from the year 2012 to 2014, on gall wasp infestation in different eucalyptus growing areas of Punjab. Observations revealed that eucalyptus growing areas in Punjab were under the threat of attack by gall wasp, L. invasa. During the present study, biological control agents Megastimus viggianii and Quadrastichus mendeli have been successfully applied in the gall infested areas of Punjab, from 2012 to 2017, where infestation of gall wasp was regularly decreased and came below 10 % by July, 2017. Consequently, Eucalyptus gall forming insect L. invasa has been controlled successfully by applying the biological control through releasing the parasitoids (Megastimus viggianii and Quadrastichus mendeli), in Punjab, India.

Gall Forming Wasp Species of Oak Forests in Bolu

Oak cynipid galls were collected between 2006-2019 to reveal species diversity of oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Cynipini) in Bolu. Collected galls were brought to laboratory and kept at room temperature in jars covered by tulle until adult cynipid wasps emerged. As a result, 44 species from 8 genera showed that Andricus is the most specious genus with 26 species. Our results indicate that Bolu bears high gall wasp species diversity. In this study, new distribution ranges are provided for most of the cynipid species previously reported for Turkey.

A new species of Cynips (Cynipidae: Cynipini) from Turkey

A new species of oak gall wasp, Cynips baskalei sp. n. (Cynipidae: Cynipini), was de- scribed from Turkey. Only asexual females of the species are known and induce galls on leaves of Quercus macranthera Fisch. & Mey. ex Hohen., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Quercus pubescens Willd. SEM images, data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species were provided in this study. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4F3C1A11-E703-4B3C-A5E8-D86FEEF442CB

Bazı hibrit kestane genotiplerinin anaçlık potansiyelleri

In Turkey chestnut cultivation is threaten by chestnut blight, chestnut root rot and Asian chestnut gall wasp. In order to obtain tolerant cultivars to the pests and diseases hybridization studies were performed. As a result, A14, A25, A41 and A100 hybrid chestnut genotypes were selected as superior. Some of these genotypes were registered by ‘Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Variety Registration and Seed Certification Center’. A14 genotype named as ‘Akyüz’ and A100 named as ‘Macit 55’. Grafting studies were performed with these genotypes and cultivars. However, due to graft incompatibility survival ratio was found low. To avoid graft incompatibility, own seedlings may be better candidate as rootstocks because of the degree of compatibility. In this study seedling rootstock potential of ‘Akyüz’, ‘Macit 55’ cultivars and A25, A41 genotypes were examined. ‘Marigoule’ cultivar used as control. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2015 at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey. In the study healthy seed ratio (%), seed emerging ratio (%), suitable for grafting seedling ratio (%), seedling diameter (cm), coefficient of variation (CV) of seedling diameter and seedling productivity (%) were investigated. As a result of the study, all genotype and cultivars were found superior in terms of their generative rootstock characteristics. However, a great variation was observed among the rootstocks over the years. Therefore, studies should be conducted to determine the effect of xenia on rootstock candidates in nut species where generative rootstock use is necessary. Also, to find out the graft compatibility of these genotype and cultivars grafting studies should be done and they should be evaluated for long-term.

Investigation of the Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compounds of Andricus quercustozae Gall and Host Plant (Quercus infectoria)

Andricus quercustozae (Bosc, 1792) is a cynipid gall wasp, which induces gall on oaks (Quercus spp.). It is known that both cynipid galls and oaks are used in traditional medicine. In this study, some biological characteristics of various extracts (acetone and ethanol) of A. quercustozae asexual gall and its host plant, Quercus infectoria Olivier, were investigated. The antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated using radical scavenging activity (ABTS and DPPH assays), the β-carotene-linoleic acid method, the phosphomolybdenum method, and the reducing power (CUPRAC method). Total phenolics, flavonoid and tannin contents were measured in the gall and the oak leaf extracts. Moreover, ethanol extracts of the gall and the host plant were evaluated using HPLC for the composition of phenolics. Generally, the gall extracts (acetone and ethanol, respectively) exhibited the strongest radical scavenging (DPPH, IC50 value of acetone extract: 11.00 μg/mL and IC50 value of ethanol extract: 8.67 μg/mL; ABTS, 52.27 μg/mL and 44.97 μg/mL) and antioxidant activities with the highest level of phenolics. The antioxidant activity of the gall extracts was in the range of 80.74 to 87.49 % for β-carotene-linoleic acid method, while and it was ranged from 75.68 to 78.20 mgAEs/g for phosphomolybdenum method. In the results of some antioxidant methods (ABTS and β-carotene-linoleic acid), it is observed that the host plant extract has values close or high to the gall extract. In this context, our results suggested that the cynipid gall extracts could be used as a natural agent in food, medicinal and pharmaceutical applications.

Photochemical performance and source-sink relationships in galls induced by Pseudophacopteron longicaudatum (Hemiptera) on leaves of Aspidosperma tomentosum (Apocynaceae)

The establishment of the galling insect generates a biotic stress that leads to tissue transformation. However, galls can maintain chlorophyll (Chl) and consequently photosynthesize. Herein, we evaluated the consequences of the biotic stress generated by the galling insect Pseudophacopteron longicaudatum on photosynthetic rate during the leaf galls development on Aspidosperma tomentosum. In addition, we quantified polysaccharides and water content in order to evaluate the capacity of gall tissues to drain photoassimilates. The non-galled leaves contained more Chl and carotenoids per gram of fresh mass. Galls had lower values of maximum PSII quantum yield, fluorescence decline ratio, and nonphotochemical quenching compared to non-galled tissue. These results showed a significant reduction of photosynthesis photochemistry in galled tissues although total soluble sugar did not differ between gall and non-galled leaves. Water-soluble polysaccharides, relative water content, and leaf specific mass were significantly higher in galls and increased through their development, suggesting a sink relationship.

FOLIAR BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES DURING GALL FORMATION IN MITRAGYNA PARVIFOLIA

Mitragyna parvifolia is a medicinally important plant which is native to India and Shrilanka. This plant is widely used by tribal people of Rajasthan and other Ayurvedic practitioners. Normal leaf and leaf gall of Mitragyna parvifolia were collected and categorized in normal (healthy leaf) and galled leaf. In the present investigation an attempt was made to study the changes of some metabolites during the gall formation on leaf of Mitragyna parvifolia attacked by gall insect. Total soluble sugar, total phenol and peroxidase activities were found high in gall leaves as compared to healthy leaves but chlorophyll contents and polyphenol oxidase activities were recorded high in normal leave and protein contents were slightly high in normal leaves as compared to infected or gall leaves.

Arthropod Community Associated With the Asexual Generation of Bassettia pallida (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

AbstractCynipid gall wasps play an important role in structuring oak arthropod communities. Wasps in the Cynipini tribe typically lay their eggs in oaks (Quercus L.), and induce the formation of a ‘gall’, which is a tumor-like growth of plant material that surrounds the developing wasp. As the wasp develops, the cynipid and its gall are attacked by a diverse community of natural enemies, including parasitoids, hyperparasitoids, and inquilines. Determining what structures these species-rich natural enemy communities across cynipid gall wasp species is a major question in gall wasp biology. Additionally, gall wasps are ecosystem engineers, as the abandoned gall is used by other invertebrates. The gall-associated insect communities residing on live oaks (Quercus geminata Small and Quercus virginiana Mill.) are emerging as a model system for answering ecological and evolutionary questions ranging from community ecology to the evolution of new species. Documenting the arthropods associated with cynipids in this system will expand our understanding of the mechanisms influencing eco-evolutionary processes, record underexplored axes of biodiversity, and facilitate future work. Here, we present the community of natural enemies and other associates of the asexual generation of the crypt gall wasp, Bassettia pallida Ashmead. We compare the composition of this community to communities recently documented from two other cynipid gall wasps specializing on live oaks along the U.S. Gulf coast, Disholcaspis quercusvirens Ashmead and Belonocnema treatae Mayr. B. pallida and their galls support a diverse arthropod community, including over 25 parasitoids, inquilines, and other associated arthropods spanning 5 orders and 16 families.

Reprogramming of the Developmental Program of Rhus javanica During Initial Stage of Gall Induction by Schlechtendalia chinensis.

Insect galls are unique organs that provide shelter and nutrients to the gall-inducing insects. Although insect galls are fascinating structures for their unique shapes and functions, the process by which gall-inducing insects induce such complex structures is not well understood. Here, we performed RNA-sequencing-based comparative transcriptomic analysis of the early developmental stage of horned gall to elucidate the early gall-inducing process carried out by the aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis, in the Chinese sumac, Rhus javanica. There was no clear similarity in the global gene expression profiles between the gall tissue and other tissues, and the expression profiles of various biological categories such as phytohormone metabolism and signaling, stress-response pathways, secondary metabolic pathways, photosynthetic reaction, and floral organ development were dramatically altered. Particularly, master transcription factors that regulate meristem, flower, and fruit development, and biotic and abiotic stress-responsive genes were highly upregulated, whereas the expression of genes related to photosynthesis strongly decreased in the early stage of the gall development. In addition, we found that the expression of class-1 KNOX genes, whose ectopic overexpression is known to lead to the formation of de novo meristematic structures in leaf, was increased in the early development stage of gall tissue. These results strengthen the hypothesis that gall-inducing insects convert source tissues into fruit-like sink tissues by regulating the gene expression of host plants and demonstrate that such manipulation begins from the initial process of gall induction.

The History of Herbivory on Sphenophytes: A New Calamitalean with an Insect Gall from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Portugal and a Review of Arthropod Herbivory on an Ancient Lineage

Premise of research. Sphenophytes are a modestly diverse lineage of vascular plants with a persistent record extending from the late Paleozoic to the present. However, patterns of arthropod herbivory on sphenophytes are poorly known because of a scattered literature, which we address in this report.Methodology. We document the 315-million-year-long record of sphenophyte-arthropod herbivory by focusing on the bookends of that record—namely, the Pennsylvanian and the present day. We add to this milieu a gall association on a newly described sphenophyte from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Portugal.Pivotal results. Earliest-known sphenophyte herbivory is Early Pennsylvanian, when virtually all interactions involved piercing-and-sucking damage by stylate insect mouthparts and lesions from cutting-and-slicing ovipositors. An exception is a newly discovered calamitalean (Annularia paisii sp. nov.) that harbored a newly discovered insect-induced gall (Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov.) that is similar to a modern fern gall. This discovery suggests that Late Pennsylvanian interactions were more diverse than previously suspected. By the end of the Pennsylvanian, the component community of one whole-plant calamitalean species had 12 damage types (DTs), only one of which was nonpuncturing damage. Shifts to external foliage feeding, mining, and galling are evident during the Late Triassic. A Middle Jurassic renewal of interactions was followed by a decrease in documented DTs present in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Fifteen modern species of the genus Equisetum, the sole surviving sphenophyte lineage, exhibit four herbivory patterns. First, almost all documented herbivory is confined to the seven species of Equisetum (horsetails), not subgenus Hippochaete (scouring rushes). Second, there are diversification events of four genera of herbivores—a beetle, two sawflies, and a fly—on subgenus Equisetum. Third, this arthropod herbivory is approximately evenly split among monophagy, oligophagy, and polyphagy. Fourth, the herbivore component community of Equisetum arvense L. (field horsetail) is diverse, representing 10 major feeding modes, comparable to a modern angiosperm species; there are considerably more feeding modes for E. arvense than there are for Pennsylvanian calamitaleans.Conclusions. Pennsylvanian sphenophytes supported few folivores, and there was a major shift in the modes of sphenophyte herbivory after the Paleozoic. Considerable modern herbivory is localized on E. arvense.

Recruitment of native parasitoids by an introduced gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, 1951 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Britain and France

The invasive chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is a major pest species of Castanea spp. worldwide. It only arrived in Britain in 2015 and the parasitoid community associated with it was studied in 2019. Eight native species of chalcidoid, previously known to be associated with oak gall wasps, were identified. These results are compared to a similar study (2016–2019) in France where four parasitoids were reared. However, this community included the deliberately introduced Torymus sinensis Kamijo, a specific biological control agent of D. kuriphilus. The presence of T. sinensis and the differences between the two communities is discussed.

Susceptibilidad de Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) a insecticidas en invernadero

La avispa agalladora del eucalipto, Leptocybe invasa, es una plaga de origen australiano que afecta a plantaciones de Eucalyptus spp. La especie Eucalyptus camaldulensis es el más susceptible hospedero y es ampliamente utilizado en el mundo para madera aserrada, pulpa y carbón; inclusive, es parte del arbolado urbano, como ocurre en varias ciudades de México. La naturaleza exótica de L. invasa y su desarrollo en agallas, dificulta su regulación natural por entomófagos nativos en este país, lo que representa una amenaza para las regiones productoras de eucaliptos y áreas urbanas. El presente estudio evaluó la eficiencia de insecticidas en condiciones de invernadero, mediante aplicación al suelo y foliar, sobre los estados inmaduros de la avispa: huevo, larva joven, larva madura y pupa, utilizando plantas de E. camaldulensis menores de un año. La aplicación de Carbofurán o Imidacloprid en suelo ocasionó mayor mortalidad en huevo (35% a 79%) y larva joven (40% a 75%), mientras que en larva madura y pupa causó una mortalidad baja (< 5%). La aplicación de Spirotetramat sobresalió en las aplicaciones foliares, pero no es suficiente por sí sola para controlar a la plaga (mortalidad < 40%). Con base en los resultados de esta investigación y los antecedentes de la literatura especializada, se sugiere que el manejo químico sobre L. invasa en invernaderos es factible pero solamente como medida emergente. Esto mediante la utilización de Carbofurán o Imidacloprid en aplicación al suelo alternado con una aplicación foliar posterior de Spirotetramat.

Stem galling of Ageratina adenophora (Asterales: Asteraceae) by a biocontrol agent Procecidochares utilis (Diptera: Tephritidae) is elevation dependent in central Nepal

ABSTRACT Gall inducers are widely used as biocontrol agents to suppress the vegetative and reproductive growth of invasive weeds. Procecidochares utilis Stone (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a gall forming fly that was released as a biocontrol agent against the noxious invasive weed Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R. King and H. Robinson (Asterales: Asteraceae). However, the effectiveness of P. utilis in controlling A. adenophora has been reported to vary according to geographic regions, with very low effectiveness in the Himalaya. In this study, we measured the abundance of P. utilis stem galling on A. adenophora along the elevation gradient (240–2965 m asl) in central Nepal. We found that elevation had a significant effect on gall abundance as well as gall size. Gall abundance and size peaked at mid-elevation (1940–2000 m asl). Stem galling by the fly reduced the stem diameter of the weed and all the three nutrients (N, P and K) in galls were significantly higher than in ungalled stems. Our study indicates that elevation is an important abiotic factor that strongly influences the P. utilis stem gall abundance, as well as gall size, and galls formed by P. utilis act as nutrient sinks. These findings provide insights in insect gall ecology, which may help the successful biocontrol of A. adenophora.

Alteration of free amino acid concentrations in insect galls induced by Andricus mukaigawae (Hymenoptera; Cynipidae)

1. Insect galls are abnormal plant growths that develop in response to a stimulus provided by a galling insect. The nutrition hypothesis suggests that the concentrations of nutritive compounds in galls are changed to provide optimum nutrition for the larvae and adults of galling insects.2. To test the nutrition hypothesis, we determined the concentrations of 20 free amino acids in galls and in galled and ungalled twigs of Quercus fabri during the larval and adult stages of Andricus mukaigawae using high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet–visible detection.3. At the larval stage, the concentrations of 12 out of 20 amino acids in A. mukaigawae galls were significantly higher than those in galled and ungalled twigs. Asparagine and tryptophan were the most abundant nonessential and essential amino acids, respectively, in A. mukaigawae galls.4. At the adult stage, the concentrations of most amino acids, except proline, were significantly lower in A. mukaigawae galls than in galled and ungalled twigs. The A. mukaigawae adults may not manipulate amino acid levels because the adults do not feed on galls. The decrease of amino acid levels in adult galls may be viewed as a depletion.5. The composition of free amino acids in A. mukaigawae galls was significantly different from the composition in galled and ungalled twigs in both the larval and adult stages.6. Our results may support the nutrition hypothesis. We suggest that a high concentration of proline in A. mukaigawae galls may protect larvae and adults from plant defense responses.

Distribution and genetic diversity of five invasive pests of Eucalyptus in sub-Saharan Africa

Eucalyptus is one of the most planted tree genera across the world, but is heavily challenged by invasive insect pests originating from the native range of these trees. The rate of introduction of non-native Eucalyptus-feeding insects has increased globally, including in sub-Saharan Africa where Eucalyptus trees have an important socio-economic role. In this study, we mapped the distribution and examined the genetic diversity of non-native Eucalyptus insect pests in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. We focused on five foliage-feeding insect pests of Eucalyptus which are known to be present in the region, namely the bluegum chalcid wasp, Leptocybe invasa; the redgum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei; the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus; the Eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus sp.n.2; and the Eucalyptus gall wasp, Ophelimus maskelli. Insect samples were collected through structured surveys and small-scale sampling which were both combined with published literature to determine the distribution of these insect pests. Genetic diversity of each of these insect pests was estimated/assessed based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) or cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequence data. Except O. maskelli, which is a relatively recent arrival, the other insect pests were found broadly distributed across the sampled countries, with first reports in many countries. Analysis of genetic diversity confirmed a common origin of geographically distant populations for G. brimblecombei and O. maskelli, moderate diversity for T. peregrinus and Gonipterus sp.n.2 and at least two distinct lineages for L. invasa. Two divergent haplogroups of L. invasa, with overlapping geographic range were confirmed in Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Compared to published literature, new haplotypes were detected for T. peregrinus, Gonipterus sp.n.2 and L. invasa, suggesting multiple introduction of those pests in the region. Results of this study will have implications for quarantine, management and future research of Eucalyptus insect pests in the region and beyond.

A New Genus of Oak Gall Wasp, Striatoandricus Pujade-Villar (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) from America with Descriptions of Two New Mexican Species.

A new genus of cynipid oak gall wasp, Striatoandricus Pujade-Villar (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), is described. Striatoandricus gen. nov. includes four previously described species, Andricus nievesaldreyi n. comb., A. georgei n. comb., A. maesi n. comb., and A. barriosi n. comb., which induce pubescent leaves or twig galls on Quercus belonging to Quercus section. Two new species from México are also described: S. cuixarti Pujade-Villar n. sp. and S. sanchezi Pujade-Villar n. sp. in Quercus section. Descriptions of the genus and diagnostic characters, including DNA sequence data, are presented. This new genus is supported by both morphological and molecular data.

Description of Torymus lasallei, sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), a species with an unusual ovipositor

ABSTRACT Torymus lasallei, sp. nov., a species with an unusual ovipositor, reared from galls of Amphibolips spp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on Quercus spp. (Lobatae section) from Mexico, is described. The placement of this new species within the genus Torymus, and the morphology and function of its ovipositor, are discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0B9F9B11-DD95-465D-A98C-53742A8099CC

A new species of herb gall wasp (Cynipidae, Aulacideini, Aulacidea) from Turkey.

A new species of cynipid herb gall wasp, Aulacidea turcica Azmaz Katılmış sp. n., (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Aulacideini) is described from Turkey. Based on morphological characters, A. turcica belongs to the genus Aulacidea. Both sexual females and males of this species are known and the females induce galls on the stem of Digitalis ferruginea. This is the first record of host use in the genus Digitalis and possibly the family Plantaginaceae by a species of Aulacidea. Five species belonging to Aulacideini were previously known from Turkey. SEM images and data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are provided.