U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Cooper, William

                                                         - *Rodney*item
                                            RIESKE, LYNNE - University Of Kentucky
  Submitted to: BioControl
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 9/16/2011
                                    Citation: Cooper, W.R., Rieske, L.K. 2011. A native and an introduced parasitoid utilize an exotic gall-maker host. Biocontrol. 56(5):725-734.Interpretive Summary: The Asian chestnut gall wasp is an invasive pest of chestnut trees that threatens commercial chestnut production and efforts to restore American chestnut to Appalachian forests. This pest is attacked by at least two parasitic wasps (parasitoids), one that is native to the U.S. (Ormyrus labotus) and that has been introduced from the native range of the gall wasp (Torymus sinensis). Key to the development of management plans to control the Asian chestnut gall wasp is an understanding of the interactions between this pest and its native and introduced natural enemies. We studied these interactions in orchard, forest, and suburban settings. The introduced parasitoid, T. sinensis, was collected from all study sites on all dates of collection, and was the dominant parasitoid in orchard and suburban settings. The native parasitoid, O. labotus, was more prevalent in the forest setting, and was only observed on a portion of the collection dates. The absence of O. labotus on some collection dates suggests it also attacks native gall wasps, which are most available in the forest setting. Observations suggested that the native parasitoid may also attack the introduced parasitoid. In this case, establishment of the introduced parasitoid may be inhibited in forest locations were O. labotus is abundant. Our study suggests that habitat influences parasitism of the Asian chestnut gall wasp by the introduced and native parasitoids. These results may facilitate implementation of biological controls against this gall wasp in commercial orchards and Appalachian forests.
                                Technical Abstract: Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is non-native to North America and induces formation of galls on petioles and leaves of all chestnut (Castanea spp., Fagales: Fagaceae). We investigated the interactions between the gall wasp D. kuriphilus, a native parasitoid, Ormyrus labotus (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae), and a non-native parasitoid, Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae). Galls were collected monthly from May to August and in January from four locations in the United States consisting of orchard-grown hybrid chestnuts (Hiram, OH and Meadowview, VA), suburban-grown ornamental Chinese chestnuts (C. mollissima) (Broadview Heights, OH), or forest-grown American chestnuts (C. dentata) (Bowling Green, KY). Parasitoids were removed from galls and T. sinensis and O. labotus were identified using PCR-markers. The relative abundance of each parasitoid was compared in relation to collection date, habitat, presence of alternative hosts, and gall characteristics. T. sinensis was collected from each location and date, and was dominant in the orchards and suburban locations. However, relatively more O. labotus were collected within the forest, which had significant oak component and alternative cynipid hosts. O. labotus was only collected in spring and early summer, indicating the use of different summer and winter hosts. Observations suggest that in addition to parasitizing D. kuriphilus, O. labotus hyperparasitizes T. sinensis. T. sinensis has a longer ovipositor than O. labotus, and parasitized larger galls. This study improves our understanding of interactions between an invasive gall wasp, an introduced parasitoid, and native parasitoids, and illustrates novel relationships that may form as exotic species expand their geographic range.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov