Josephiella microcarpae

Host relationship and life cycle

Josephiella microcarpae forms galls in leaves of Ficus microcarpa. Its immature stages develop inside host tissue; the adult is the exposed dispersing stage. Rounded, swollen leaf galls need to be distinguished from leaf rolling caused by other insects on the same tree. This intimate host relationship is more informative than the general label “wasp”: its larvae are plant-associated gall inhabitants, not presumed predators of other insects.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 1989; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Mo, Oa.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Josephiella microcarpae

Family

Agaonidae

Order

Hymenoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Josephiella microcarpae belongs to Agaonidae in the order Hymenoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• Peer-reviewed alien-fauna update
• Host relationship and life cycle — species source