Tiny wasp helps protect eucalypts from eucalyptus longhorned borer

Abstract

The eucalyptus longhorned borer (ELB) was first identified in California in 1984 and has since killed thousands of eucalyptus trees. Now firmly established throughout Southern California, the borer continues to spread northward. A search for its natural enemies in Australia yielded a tiny wasp, Avetianella longoi, that parasitizes ELB eggs. The wasp was imported, released and is now established in San Diego and Riverside counties. Results of releases in other areas are pending. A. longoi propagates quickly, disperses rapidly across wide areas, and is highly efficient at finding and parasitizing borer eggs.