Diastrophus nebulosus

Blackberry Knot Gall Wasp

Diastrophus nebulosus is a that induces compound stem 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 on Rubus flagellaris; identification requires examination of gall and association.

Images

Habitat

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

Host Associations

  • Rubus flagellaris - Primary for 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 genesis and development.

Behavior

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

Ecological Role

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

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Sources and further reading