Biological Characteristics of Dasineura jujubifolia and Its Parasitoid Natural Enemies in Hami Region of Xinjiang (China)
Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2025, 16(11), 1118; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16111118
Submission received: 26 September 2025
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Revised: 25 October 2025
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Accepted: 31 October 2025
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Published: 31 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host Specificity of Parasitoid Wasps and Its Applications in Biological Control)
Simple Summary
The jujube gall midge Dasineura jujubifolia induces leaf galls that weaken trees and reduce yield in Xinjiang’s arid jujube orchards, highlighting an urgent need for region-specific, evidence-based management. We carried out a season-long, standardized field survey in two orchards in Hami (Xinjiang, China), combined with gall dissection and laboratory rearing, to document the midge’s biology and associated natural enemies. The midge completed 4–5 generations annually, and we recorded five parasitoid wasps, including two species newly recorded in China—Pseudotorymus samsatensis and Baryscapus adalia. These natural enemies exhibited distinct parasitism strategies; P. samsatensis was dominant and closely tracked host population peaks. Laboratory assays clarified daily emergence rhythms, adult longevity (under different diets), and sex ratios, providing practical parameters to optimize parasitoid conservation and reduced-pesticide management in jujube orchards.
Abstract
Severe leaf galling by the jujube gall midge Dasineura jujubifolia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) compromises photosynthesis and yield in arid-zone jujube orchards, yet Xinjiang-specific evidence to guide biological control has been scarce. Here we provide the first systematic characterization in Xinjiang (Hami, China) of D. jujubifolia and its parasitoid complex, integrating region-specific field surveys with gall dissection and laboratory assays. We documented five parasitoid wasps, including two species newly recorded in China—Pseudotorymus samsatensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) and Baryscapus adalia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). In Hami, the host completed 4–5 generations per year with a 19–24-day generation time. Functional roles were partitioned: P. samsatensis (dominant), Systasis parvula (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), and B. adalia were larval ectoparasitoids, whereas Aprostocetus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Synopeas sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) were endoparasitoids. Time-series data revealed tight temporal synchrony between P. samsatensis and host peaks. Controlled experiments quantified daily emergence rhythms, diet-dependent adult longevity, and sex ratios, providing parameters to inform release timing and conservation in biological control programs. Collectively, these findings establish management-ready baselines for D. jujubifolia and its parasitoids in arid jujube systems and support conservation-oriented, reduced-pesticide integrated pest management (IPM).
