Erythrina Gall Wasp

Host relationship and ecological effects

The erythrina gall wasp, Quadrastichus erythrinae, develops in galls on Erythrina trees, including Hawaiʻi’s native wiliwili. Its relationship with the tree is distinct from the seed feeding of other wiliwili pests. Eurytoma erythrinae has been evaluated as a biological-control parasitoid of the gall wasp. The existence of that interaction does not mean every Kauaʻi tree is protected or that all remaining tree decline has one cause.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2005; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Mo, Oa.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Quadrastichus erythrinae

Common names

Erythrina Gall Wasp

Family

Eulophidae

Order

Hymenoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Erythrina Gall Wasp (Quadrastichus erythrinae) belongs to Eulophidae in the order Hymenoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• Peer-reviewed alien-fauna update
• Host relationship and ecological effects — species source