Neuroterus saltatorius (jumping gall wasp) phenology and abundance in native and expanded ranges
Abstract
Neuroterus saltatorius (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), also
known as the jumping gall wasp, is native to Oregon and
Washington, but is experiencing ecological release, and
expanding into British Columbia. Galls are modified plant
tissues that form around a developing wasp egg after
oviposition into leaves. N. saltatorius forms galls exclusively
on Quercus garryana (Garry oak) leaves throughout its
territory. Abnormally large numbers of galls damage Q.
garryana populations in British Columbia, which are already
susceptible from human and animal interactions. To
understand the ecological impact of the N. saltatorius range
expansion, I compare the average gall numbers and
phenological variation in its native and expanded ranges.