Diastrophus nebulosus

Blackberry Knot Gall Wasp

Diastrophus nebulosus is a cynipid gall wasp that induces compound stem galls on Rubus flagellaris. It exhibits , the first reported instance of this reproductive mode for a Nearctic in the Diastrophus. The species supports a complex of and , with heavy reducing primary to near zero in some colonies over 1-2 seasons.

Diastrophus nebulosus by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.Diastrophus nebulosus.adult. gall by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Diastrophus nebulosus 1 by Anna Hess. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Diastrophus nebulosus: //daɪˈæstrəfəs nɛbjʊˈloʊsəs//

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Identification

Forms compound stem galls on Rubus flagellaris; identification requires examination of gall and association.

Images

Habitat

Patches of Rubus flagellaris, where the initiates compound stem galls on this plant.

Host Associations

  • Rubus flagellaris - gall Primary plant for gall formation; compound stem galls induced on this

Life Cycle

Over 1-2 seasons, and can reduce primary to 2-0% in some colonies. stages and have been described with notes on gall genesis and development.

Behavior

from heavily infested colonies yields 22% survival rate, suggesting behavioral to escape pressure.

Ecological Role

Gall initiator that supports a / complex of five principal and three incidental chalcidoid plus one cynipid inquiline. The species functions as a foundation organism for a complex of associated insects.

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Sources and further reading