Dryocosmus

Dryocosmus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Suborder:	Apocrita
Superfamily:	Cynipoidea
Family:	Cynipidae
Genus:	Dryocosmus
Species
Dryocosmus mayri Dryocosmus nitidus Dryocosmus israeli Dryocosmus nervosus Dryocosmus kuriphilus Dryocosmus cerriphilus Dryocosmus caspiensis Dryocosmus mikoi Dryocosmus dubiosus

Dryocosmus are a genus of gall wasps. They are cyclically parthenogenetic insects that induce galls on plants in the family Fagaceae.

According to recent studies, the genus includes some species previously considered as belonging to the genus Chilaspis, whereas Dryocosmus favus should be excluded of the genus. Dryocosmus and Chilaspis are closely related to the other oak gall wasp taxa (Aphelonyx, Plagiotrochus, Pseudoneuroterus, Trichagalma, and some Neuroterus species) ^[1]

Dryocosmus kuriphilus is an invasive species in Europe^[2] and North America (originating from Asia) that endangers the chestnut trees^[3].

References

1. ^ Z.Acs et al., The Phylogenetic Relationships Between Dryocosmus, Chilaspis and Allied Genera of Oak Gallwasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae: Cynipini).Systematic Entomology, (2007), 32 pp.70-80
2. ^ Dryocosmus kuriphilus. Data sheets on quarantine pests, European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (2006)
3. ^ L.K.Rieske, Success of an exotic gallmaker, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, on chestnut in the USA: a historical account, EPPO Bulletin 37 (1), 172–174 (2007)