Lanka Sites

Peradeniya University Zoology Department a team of scientists have identified a tiny gall forming invasive wasp Leptocybe invasa in Eucalyptus plantations in the Naula area in the Matale district. The galls formed by this wasp were found on fresh coppiced shoots, they said. "Seedlings in nurseries, saplings and coppiced shoots in plantations are known to be susceptible to the gall wasp. The gall formation by the wasp damages growing shoot tips and leaves of Eucalyptus, resulting in quicker abscission of leaves and drying up of shoots," the scientists said.

Currently Eucalyptus plantations in the world, specially those in tropical and subtropical countries, are threatened due to an attack by the wasp L invasa, presumed to be introduced from Australia. The research team is now engaged in studies to determine the natural enemies of the gall wasp with to encourage and establish natural enemy populations to biologically control the wasps. Interim measures to control the wasp would come from the plantation sector, the scientists said. Meanwhile, Indian scientists have recorded few species of natural enemies of the gall wasp L invasa this year. Eucalyptus species were introduced to Sri Lanka during the latter half of the 18th Century by planters who had links with Australia. Currently there are plantations of about 10 species of Eucalyptus in the country. They are distributed in the upcountry, the dry zone and in the intermediate zone.

@ Daily News