A new invasive eucalypt gall wasp <i>Ophelimus maskelli</i> and its parasitoid <i>Closterocerus chamaeleon</i> in China: identification and population phenology

The <i>Ophelimus maskelli</i> and its parasitoid <i>Closterocerus chamaeleon</i> were reported for the first time in China. A field survey performed in June 2023 in Guangxi indicates that <i>O. maskelli</i> was detected in 10 of 43 eucalypts planting sites, and only attacked the <i>Eucalyptus leizhou</i> trees with infestation rate of 41.2 ± 11.8%. Parasitism rate of <i>C.</i><i>chamaeleon</i> was 89.1 ± 8.2%. <i>Ophelimus</i><i>maskelli</i> had at least three population peaks per year while <i>C. chamaeleon</i> remained active throughout the year. Our findings deliver insights into the development of biological control programs of <i>O. maskelli</i> using <i>C. chamaeleon</i>.