Ophelimus maskelli
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
Ophelimus maskelli is a species of chalcid wasp about 1mm long, known as the eucalyptus gall wasp, indigenous to Australia and New Zealand, and invasive in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa, tropical Asia (from Vietnam to Indonesia), and the United States (California). It is considered a plant pest as females lay eggs on immature eucalyptus leaves; the larvae produce galls on the leaves. Heavy infestations induce much galling which causes widespread defoliation and loss of growth. Wasps may emerge in large numbers in the spring, forming clouds which are a nuisance to humans.
In Australia and Israel members of the genus of fairy wasps, Stethynium, were being investigated in 2006 as possible biological control agents for Ophelimus maskelli. Releases of three parasitoids in Israel were successful in greatly reducing the numbers of O. maskelli, though only two of these parasitoids - Closterocerus chamaeleon (Eulophidae), and Stethynium ophelimi (Mymaridae) - subsequently proliferated and spread through the Mediterranean Basin, where they have proven to be excellent biological control agents. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens | 🇬🇷 Greece | |
| 2 | Sacramento | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | San Francisco | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Madrid | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 5 | San Diego | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | London | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 7 | Los Angeles | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an Australian Eucalyptus Leafgall Wasp sighting in Athens on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 162nd most-seen of the 242 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February, May, August and October
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Australian Eucalyptus Leafgall Wasp in Athens on a given day, against under 5% in March–April, June–July, September and November–January, the lowest months.
Yes
Of the 7 cities where we can rate Australian Eucalyptus Leafgall Wasp sightings, Athens has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Sacramento (United States, under 5%) and San Francisco (United States, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Australian Eucalyptus Leafgall Wasp is recorded against all the insects logged in Athens (6 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
