A previously unidentified invasive parasitic wasp species, Bootanomyia dorsalis, has been discovered on both U.S. coasts, according to a study published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. Native to Europe, this millimeter-sized wasp targets oak gall wasps—tiny insects that form tumor-like growths on oak trees to incubate their larvae. Unlike the notorious murder hornets of 2020, B. dorsalis poses no direct threat to humans, but its impact on North America’s approximately 800 native oak gall wasp species and their ecosystems remains uncertain. Researchers, led by Binghamton University’s Kirsten Prior, identified the wasp during a broader study on oak gall wasp and parasitoid diversity, highlighting the critical role parasitic wasps play as biological control agents in ecological systems.
The discovery of B. dorsalis in North America raises questions about its origins and genetic diversity. Genetic sequencing revealed significant differences between the Pacific and East Coast populations, suggesting separate introductions or evolutionary divergence. The East Coast clade is genetically linked to populations in Portugal, Italy, and Iran, while the West Coast clade relates to wasps in Spain, Hungary, and Iran. Researchers theorize the wasps may have arrived centuries ago with non-native oak plantings by European colonists or more recently via air travel, given their 27-day adult lifespan. This genetic variability hints at multiple introduction events, with the East Coast population showing slightly greater diversity.
The long-term ecological consequences of B. dorsalis’s invasion are unclear, though invasive parasitic wasps have historically harmed native insect populations. B. dorsalis can parasitize multiple oak gall wasp species, potentially disrupting local ecosystems and native parasite dynamics. To monitor these effects, researchers emphasize the need for continued study and public involvement through initiatives like iNaturalist’s Gall Week and updates on Gallformers.org. As Prior notes, uncovering such biodiversity surprises relies on large-scale, collaborative efforts, underscoring the importance of citizen science and funding in understanding and addressing ecological changes.
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Forrás: http://www.popsci.com/environment/invasive-parasitic-wasp-usa/.