Gall wasp: Difference between revisions
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imported>D. Matt Innis (You CAN'T say that :D, but at least I got to edit a new article!) |
imported>Aleta Curry (I suppose I have to remove the obviously anti-wasp bias, huh?- Uh-oh, edit conflict!) |
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'''Gall wasps''' (cynipidae), or gall flies, are small [[insect]]s in the order hymenoptera, which also contains [[ant]]s. They are named for the hard sacs they form when they lay eggs on the roots and branches of some plants, these contain the [[larva|larvae]] of the gall wasp, enclosed in little chambers. | '''Gall wasps''' (cynipidae), or gall flies, are small [[insect]]s in the order hymenoptera, which also contains [[ant]]s. They are named for the hard sacs they form when they lay eggs on the roots and branches of some plants, these contain the [[larva|larvae]] of the gall wasp, enclosed in little chambers. | ||
The ''citrus gall wasp'' (''eurytoma frills''), is the bane of farmers and home growers in Australia. Although the larvae do not damage the tree per se, the galls are unsightly and warp the stems and branches. | The ''citrus gall wasp'' (''eurytoma frills''), is the bane of farmers and home growers in Australia. Although the larvae do not damage the tree per se, the galls are unsightly and warp the stems and branches. We do not yet understand exactly how the galls are formed. The only thing that can really be done is to cut off the branch or stem with the offending protuberance. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
*Gardening Australia television program, ABC network, broadcast 29th September 2007. | *Gardening Australia television program, ABC network, broadcast 29th September 2007. | ||
*My garden website: [[http://www.mygarden.net.au/flex/citrus_gall_wasp/1189/1]] | *My garden website: [[http://www.mygarden.net.au/flex/citrus_gall_wasp/1189/1]] | ||
Revision as of 18:50, 2 October 2007
Gall wasps (cynipidae), or gall flies, are small insects in the order hymenoptera, which also contains ants. They are named for the hard sacs they form when they lay eggs on the roots and branches of some plants, these contain the larvae of the gall wasp, enclosed in little chambers.
The citrus gall wasp (eurytoma frills), is the bane of farmers and home growers in Australia. Although the larvae do not damage the tree per se, the galls are unsightly and warp the stems and branches. We do not yet understand exactly how the galls are formed. The only thing that can really be done is to cut off the branch or stem with the offending protuberance.
References
- Gardening Australia television program, ABC network, broadcast 29th September 2007.
- My garden website: [[1]]