Can you please identify what Eucalyptus pest this might be?

[Rory]

Is anyone please able to identify what Eucalyptus pest this might be?
I'd be really interested to hear from those that grow Eucs.

This only happens to the Eucs / Angophoras and Corymbias.
It doesn't happen to any of my Mels, or the Leptos,

You can see from the picture, as it gets more infected it really gets quite ugly.
The leaves can also develop balls that appear like the entire growth of that area is deformed.
You will often see the leaves looking like they're chewed.
It usually is just the new young growth, but occasionally will be the older leaves, but nearly always the young growth.
It is vicious on the angophoras though, they develop it the worst.

In the 1st picture where my middle finger is, you can see 2 of the 'balls' that develop. It can be 1, 2, 3 or more that form together.

I am wondering if the chewing is simply a pest, and that the dying / deformed leaf growth is something else?

Euc-Pest1.jpg

Euc-Pest2.jpg

Euc-Pest3.jpg

Euc-Pest4.jpg

[shibui]

I believe that eucalypt leaf galls are caused by a gall wasp. The eggs of the wasp secrete a substance that causes the leaf tissue to grow over them and provide protection to the growing larva inside. I think that's quite neat really. If you carefully cut some open you will probably be able to find the grub inside.
Removing the leaves will remove the unsightly growth and reduce the number of larvae maturing so reduce the next generation but some will still come in from outside your property.
Systemic insecticides will also kill growing larvae. It won't cure galls already there but will reduce the next generation.

[Rory]

Thanks Neil,

I am still undecided on it. If you rip open the balls, at any stage there isn't anything which appears like an egg or developing insect inside. It is always just pure clear liquid. The balls stay on the leaves until they eventually morph further and become a coagulated mess. Sometimes they stick together and other times they don't. I am getting a bit frustrated, so I took a longer and more concentrated investigation.
I have :
* Grasshoppers
* Caterpillars
* 2 different types of insects that only inhabit the euc leaves, which are small black, kind of round bodied insects about 2mm wide which fly off when you touch them. There are also some sort of brown spider looking creature about 2mm wide which doesn't look like a spider but has legs like a spider. (they're not spider mite or red spider)
* Occasionally I see wasps yes.
* And I also noticed the ants appear to love the euc foliage too. Obviously I don't think they are eating the leaves, but some sort of relationship with whatever is occupying the eucs.

You could be right though Neil, it might be the above are all contributing factors to the leaf munching and that the wasps are forming the lumps. I did read that online too, but it is odd because on some of the eucs you get the horrible deformities without the lumps. It also states online that it may be something eating the leaf, and the reaction is to form a lump over the area for protection and that by the time you see the lump the insect is long gone.

Either way, I continue to spray with confidor but it doesn't seem to do much.

[KIRKY]

Hi Rory,
Thats the norm with Euc's, leaf gall lumps and bumps on leaves, trunks. At this time of year I usually just roll up a wad of news paper light it and wave it around the foilage. If you haven't done it before becareful the leaves can catch really quickly, in no time you can have a roaring fire. So you just need radiated heat from the flames more than holding it in one place to burn. In a couple of hours it drups, in a few weeks its full of fresh new growth.
Not sure if its a seasonal thing the new growth does not get the gall leaf problem. Its when its in the trunk that annoys me.
Can't do anything about the distorted trunk.
Cheers
Kirky

[Rory]

Here is a pic of the insects that are all over the euc leaves. There is a tonne of them, but they just fly away when you get close to them.
I've not noticed them before but they are very small. Less than 2mm

EucLeaf-pest.jpg

[KIRKY]

Hi Rory, hard to tell from pic ut it ould be Leaf Beetle -Family Chrysomelidae
This site may help.
http://www.westgatepark.org/fauna-2/bee ... ectscheers
Kirky

[Rory]

Cheers Kirky. That site is just loaded with info, and their pictures are very good.
When you wave the stick of fire, do you chant as well?

I think my trees are yet again the subject of many a buffet to the locals.

[KIRKY]

Yes Rory, if you don't chant it doesn't work. Oh, also as well as the chant, you have to stand on one leg and hop in a circle around your tree. At least three times for it to work, six times for it to work well.
Hold your head just so, with your tung sticking out to the side while trying to howl. Of yes, did I mention it should be a full moon too. And as its Christmas you should only be wearing red fuzzy jocks and one sock...... Beware the "naked flame"
Let us know when your about to start...... I'll bring the camera and drinks
Cheeky sausage,
Seasons greetings n Cheers
Kirky

[Theodore]

Too funny Kirky! Made me laugh out loud at work!

It's Christmas, I'm allowed a lazy day at work!