Tetramesa sp. (genus) (Stem-galling wasp)

PLEASE KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR EVIDENCE OF THIS WASP

The presence of Tetramesa can be rapidly assessed by characteristic emergence holes located above the 1st and 2nd tiller nodes. To date, only one Tetramesa species is known from Australia, namely Tetramesa australiensis.
It is possible that several Australian native Eragrostis species may be at risk of attack by this Tetramesa sp. Field surveys of the native Eragrostis species that are closely related to E. curvula should be conducted across Australia to determine how widespread the wasp is and if it is impacting native Eragrostis populations. The Tetramesa sp. is also likely to be providing benefits in Australia by damaging the invasive alien populations of E. curvula. These impacts need to be quantified…

Good reference:

Native and introduced species recently identified https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2023/3/BIR_2023_Sutton_etal.pdf 

Regional distribution

Tetramesa sp. (genus) is listed in the following regions: