Australian Insects Affecting Eucalyptus Species in Turkey

Most Eucalyptus species are endemic to Australia, although a few were introduced into Turkey and neighbouring regions of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the 18 th century. According to the most recent national inventories, there are over 20.000 ha of eucalyptus plantations in Turkey. Seven Australian insects have recently been found on eucalyptus seedlings and trees in several parts of Turkey, in recently conducted surveys between 2000 and 2008. Of these, six are phytophagous and one is a parasitoid. The phytophagous species are: the eucalyptus gall wasp (Leptocybe invasa , Fisher and La Salle, 2004) , the leaf blade gall wasp (Prelim. maskelli , Ashmead, 1900), the eucalyptus seed capsule wasp ( Quadrastichodella nova Girault, 1922 (Hym.: Eulophidae), the eucalyptus longhorned borer ( Phoracantha semipunctata F. (Col: Cerambycidae), the eucalyptus shoot psyllid (Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), and the gumtree flower thrip (Thrips australis (Bagnall, 1915) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Among these phytophagous species, economically important pests are L. invasa, O. maskelli, P. semipunctata, and B. occidentalis. The parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleonis attacks the larva and pupae of O. maskelli .