Rapid survey of damage due to gall wasp infestation in a coppiced Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation in Maragamuwa, Naula in the Matale district of Sri Lanka

According to several sources, Eucalyptus plantations in Sri Lanka are currently under threat due to an attack by a gall wasp. Our observations made at a coppiced Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation at Maragamuwa, Naula in the Matale District revealed a heavy infestation of galls in coppiced shoots. Close examination of 40 trees in a block revealed low damage in 62.5% of the coppiced trees and heavy damage in 10% of the trees. The wasps that emerged from field collected galls were identified as Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Only female wasps emerged from the field collected galls and no parasitoids were recorded. This preliminary study highlights the severity of damage caused by L. invasa and the need to identify appropriate measures to manage this invasive gall wasp of Eucalyptus plantations in the country. Keywords: Leptocybe invasa; coppiced shoots; conservation site DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i2.3002 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 157-161, 2010