Overview
- A Journal of Hymenoptera Research study reports Palearctic Bootanomyia dorsalis-related clades established in North America on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
- West Coast specimens from Oregon to British Columbia were genetically identical, whereas New York samples showed greater diversity consistent with separate arrival histories.
- mtCOI sequences link the eastern clade to populations in Portugal, Italy, and Iran, and the western clade to Spain, Hungary, and Iran.
- The parasitoids emerged from galls of multiple native oak gall wasp hosts, and researchers say ecological impacts remain uncertain and under evaluation.
- The finding stems from an NSF-funded survey with contributions from Gallformers.org and iNaturalist, and possible pathways include historical oak plantings or recent accidental transport such as flights.