@article {297,
	title = {The impact of fig wasps (Chalcidoidea), new to the Mediterranean, on reproduction of an invasive fig tree Ficus microcarpa (Moraceae) and their potential for its biological control},
	journal = {Biological Control},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2015},
	pages = {21-30},
	abstract = {<p>Natural enemies that reduce plant reproductive success are often utilized for biological control of invasive species. Reproduction in fig trees depends on host-specific fig wasp pollinators that develop in galled ovules, but there are also many species of non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFWs) that reduce seed and pollinator numbers. Fig wasps associated with an invasive Asian fig tree, Ficus microcarpa (Moraceae), were surveyed around the Mediterranean. Eight NPFW species are now known from the area, three of which are newly-recorded. The impacts of the two most prevalent ovule galling NPFW species (both Pteromalidae, Epichrysomallinae) on the tree\&rsquo;s reproduction were compared: Odontofroggatia galili Wiebes is widely-introduced, whereas Meselatus bicolor Chen has not been recorded previously outside its native range. Both gall-forming NPFWs significantly reduce seed and pollinator production, but M. bicolor has a far greater impact, entirely preventing seeds and pollinators from developing in the figs it occupies. M. bicolor has only been recorded from F. microcarpa and has the potential to be a valuable biological control agent in other countries outside the Mediterranean where F. microcarpa has become invasive.</p>
},
	keywords = {Agaonidae, Epichrysomallinae, Fig wasp pollinators, Galls, Mutualism, Non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFWs), Pollination prevention},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2014.11.004},
	author = {Wang, R. and Aylwin, R. and Cobb, J. and Craine, L. and Ghana, S. and Reyes-Betancort, A. and Quinnell, R. and Compton, S.}
}
@article {296,
	title = {The fig wasp followers and colonists of a widely introduced fig tree, Ficus microcarpa},
	journal = {Insect Conservation and Diversity},
	volume = {8},
	year = {2015},
	pages = {322-336},
	abstract = {<p>1. The transportation of plants and insects between countries often has negative consequences, but also provides opportunities to study community processes. Fig trees are a species-rich group of largely tropical and subtropical plants, characterised by their unusual inflorescences (figs). 2. Ficus microcarpa is a native of Asia and Australasia and frequently planted elsewhere. Widespread introductions of its pollinator fig wasp,Eupristina verticillata, have allowed the tree to reproduce and become increasingly invasive. Non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFW) are also widely introduced. 3. Here, we combine previously published records of the distributions of fig wasps associated with F. microcarpa with the results of our extensive surveys across much of its introduced and native ranges. At least 43 morpho-species of fig wasps are associated with figs of F. microcarpa, most of which have only been recorded from this host. Twenty-one NPFW have become established outside their native ranges, but there has been only limited colonisation by locally native fig wasps within countries of introduction. 4. Fig wasp communities in colonised areas are less species-rich and contain a lower proportion of parasitoids. The pollinator and two phytophagous NPFW are the most widely introduced species, and usually the first species to arrive in countries where the host fig has become established. The pace of colonisation appears to be accelerating. 5. The rarity of faunal acquisition on introduced F. microcarpa contrasts strongly with that of introduced gall wasps on oaks and chestnuts.</p>
},
	keywords = {Agaonidae, biocontrol, community structure, dispersal, invasive species, Parasitoid},
	doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/icad.12111},
	author = {Wang, R. and Aylwin, R. and Barwell, L. and Chen, X.Y. and Chen, Y. and Chou, L.S. and Cobb, J. and Collette, D. and Craine, L. and Giblin-Davis, R.M. and Ghana, S. and Harper, M. and Harrison, R.D. and McPherson, J.R. and Peng, Y.Q. and Pereira, R.A.S. and Reyes-Betancort, A. and Rodriguez, L.J.V. and Strange, E. and van Noort, S. and Yang, H.W. and Yu, H. and Compton, S.G.}
}
