Assessment performance of Eucalyptus clones attacked by the recent invasion of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): Implications to invasion pest management

Eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa is one of the most important invasive pests of Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) and has been reported in new cultivation areas worldwide. This pest causes severe damage to susceptible plants of the genus Eucalyptus, where it induces galls in the midribs and petioles of young leaves and the internodes of branch and apices. In this work, we evaluated the response of Eucalyptus clones (E. urophylla (Urophylla) and two clone hybrids, one of the E. urophylla x E. camaldulensis (Umcam) and other of E. urophylla x E. grandis (Umgrandis) crossings.) submitted to L. invasa collected from areas where L. invasa was recently reported. Our results show that the eucalypt materials cultivated in the areas where L. invasa were reported sensitive to L. invasa attacks. However, the wasp causes fewer galls in the Umcam clone. Thus, the Urocam clone can be preferred for use to reduce population growth of L. invasa in Brazilian savannah areas.