STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BY FEMALE HEMADAS NUBILIPENNIS (HYMENOPTERA: PTEROMALIDAE) AS A FACTOR IN GALL INDUCTION ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

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Abstract
The chalcidoid wasp, Hemadas nubilipennis (Ashmead), induces a reniform gall on the adventitious shoots of lowbush blueberry. Eggs are laid within shoot tissues 5–15 mm below the tip and then the female destroys the apex of the shoot by stabbing with her ovipositor. Stabbing terminates growth of the shoot, and as a result all nutrients flowing into the shoot are redirected towards the gall tissues and larvae. This is a rare example of an insect damaging tissues of the host plant for the benefit of the offspring. It also is suggested that stabbing and gall formation have a pruning effect on the host plant.