Current Infestation Status and Damage Severity of Eucalyptus Gall Wasps, Leptocybe invasa (Fisher & La Salle), and Ophelimus maskelli Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Infesting Eucalyptus Germplasms in Tanzania

Abstract Eucalypts spp., are the most popular hardwood timber species in world, indigenous to Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Timor, and New Guinea. Distribution is attributable their exceptionally high ability adapt diverse ecological conditions substantially varying products services they offer. Leptocybe invasa Ophelimus maskelli serious pests causing damage eucalypt plantations Tanzania. Due limited knowledge literature, a study assessed infestation status damages of two gall inducers on three government plantations, namely Korogwe, North Ruvu, Morogoro forests planted with several Eucalypt species, including E. tereticornis hybrids grandis x camadulensis , from October 2021 April 2022, through assessments percentage infested leaves crown parts, association between stand elevations magnitude index. Microsoft Excel Minitab 19 statistical software were used analyze data. Results showed positive correlations wasp infestations altitude among germplasms. Clonal more infested. The middle part was highly infested, followed by lower at p= 0.880 0.641 respectively. L.invasa had higher invasive capacity than O. . Control efforts should focus biological control greenhouse-gall screening get resistant genotypes. Nevertheless, mass trapping using yellow sticky trap cattle stable can be for monitoring pest population immediately.