Observations on the development and parasitoids of Fergusonina/Fergusobia galls on Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) in Australia

The gall-forming Fergusonina/Fergusobia association is being considered as a potential biocontrol agent of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida, where i t has become a serious weed. This paper reports observations on the develop ment of Fergusonina/Fergusobia galls on M. quinquenervia in coastal and sub -coastal south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The morphol ogy of the gall and the relationship between gall size and numbers of devel oping cavities and insects are described. Nematodes were found in cavities containing first and second or early third stage fly larvae. Eight species of hymenopteran parasitoids were reared from galls.