The release of natural enemies of ELB from Australia may provide an effective means of pest management. These parasitoids, which have become established in areas throughout the state, show promise. UCR scientists are extending their biological control program to the Bay Area where ELB is becoming a serious pest. Trees under serious environmental stress and those that have been damaged by construction, root pruning, excessive pruning, soil compaction, root disease, etc. A gall-forming wasp.
Affected leaves have a roughened or bumpy appearance.
Adult female wasps lay their eggs just under the leaf surface. Each gall, which forms in response to the egg laying, contains a single developing wasp larvae. This insect is more of a nuisance than a pest. There is no known treatment at this time. Bastophylla occidentalis, C. longicauda, C. spatulata and Cryptoneossa triangula.