Tanaostigmodes pithecellobiae

Hosts: Pithecellobium keyense [Weekley concludes that previous reports of this wasp on P unguis-cati were mistaken]

Gall development parallels leaflet development. It takes 8 to 10 weeks for leaflets to become dark green and leathery. During this time the galls develop from pimple-like eruptions on the upper surface of the leaflet to tumor-like swellings. Galls mature in about 10 weeks and do not change in physical appearance until emergence of the adult gall-maker (or one of its parasitoids). Gall-maker emergence begins only after 14 weeks (later for overwintering galls). Exited galls necrose and once all the galls are exited the leaflet abscises prematurely.

- Carl Weekley: (2000) The natural history of Tanaostigmodes pithecellobiae (Hymenoptera: Tanaostigmatidae), a gall-maker on blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense)^©