D3298: Diversity and host ranges of Eupelmidae parasites of oak gall wasps

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

FC

Fabiola Castaneda-Santiago

University of Iowa
Johnston, Iowa

Co-Author(s)

Guerin E. Brown (he/him/his)

Graduate Student
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
MaKella Jo Steffensen

PhD Student
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
AF

Andrew A. Forbes

University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Galls are abnormal growths found on plants, usually induced by other organisms. Oak gall wasps induce galls on oaks that house and provide nutrition to their developing larvae. Both the gall tissue and the gall wasp larvae can also be resources for other organisms, including parasitic wasps. Previous work has shown that many oak gall-associate parasitic wasp lineages are incredibly diverse, with many unknown and undescribed species. This species diversity has been connected with various specializations of different gall wasp hosts, oak tree species, and/or gall morphologies. Here, we assess diversity and modes of specialization for the wasp genera Brasema and Eupelmus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae; parasitoids of oak gall wasps). We use both genetic and morphological methods to delimit putative species, describe host ranges, and characterize patterns of specialization.