Interactions Between the Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp Chestnut Foliar Chemistry and Subsequent Herbivore Susceptibility

The introduced oriental chestnut gall wasp, Oryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), is a major pest of chestnut worldwide, and could potentially threaten the successful reintroduction of chestnut in the eastern US. 80th Asian and American species appear susceptible. The gall wasp is univoltine, overwintering as first instar larvae within the buds, and inducing gall formation as buds expand the following spring. These galls disrupt normal twig growth and reduce fruiting. Surprisingly little is known about the oriental chestnut gall wasp life cycle, its impact on its host plant, and its interactions with other species and with biotic and abiotic stressors.