Gall-Forming Nematode, Anguina Woodi (Nematoda: Anguinidae), Gall Midge Mitodiplosis Graminis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) And Chalcid Wasp, (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) On Dune Grass From the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract In 2021/2022, galls formed by a nematode, Anguina woodi were found on the stems, leaves and leaf sheaths of dune grass, Ehrharta villosa Schult. var. villosa on Milnerton Beach, Blouberg Beach and Langebaan Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa. These galls were spongy in texture, deep purple to blackish in color and non-pedunculate. They were found in clusters, but also as single entities. Larger, harder galls varying from beige to dark brown in colour, apparently caused by insects, were also found on the stems of dune grass at Blouberg Beach and Langebaan Nature Reserve. Some nematode galls were found immediately next to, or on top of the insect galls. Those found on top of insect galls seemed to be harder and drier than those found on stems not infected by insect galls. The co-infection of insects and anguinid nematodes has not been reported from the current study areas and was thus included in the present study. Both molecular and morphological studies were conducted on the nematodes and insects leading to that a host specific, gall forming nematode was identified from all three localities; the gall-forming insects were identified morphologically and molecularly to family Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera) and the gall midge Mitodiplosis graminis Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). No insect galls were found on dune grass from Milnerton Beach. The paper includes speculations on a probable association between nematodes and insects