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The chestnut bee, also known as the chestnut gall wasp, is a small insect measuring between 2 to 3 mm in length. What makes it particularly problematic is its ability to reproduce without mating—this process is called parthenogenesis. These tiny pests primarily lay their eggs in the top buds or leaves of young branches on chestnut trees. Once hatched, the larvae feed inside the galls (abnormal growths) that form on new shoots. Each gall can contain anywhere from 1 to 13 larvae, though typically there are 2 to 5.
The damage caused by the chestnut bee is severe. It targets the tender shoots, leaves, and young branches of chestnut trees, leading to the formation of galls on stems, petioles, and leaf veins. This not only renders the current year's crop unusable but also affects fruit production for the following season. In extreme cases, entire branches may wither and die, causing long-term harm to the tree. For this reason, farmers often refer to the chestnut bee as a "cancer" growing on the chestnut tree.
In years when the chestnut bee population is especially high, some trees can be covered with over 10,000 galls. However, the infestation level varies from year to year. One key factor influencing this is the presence of a natural enemy: the long-tailed wasp. This parasitic wasp, which measures about 4 mm in length, has a slender, pointed body with sparse yellow-brown hair. It appears as a small, lively worm and is actually the larval stage of the long-tailed wasp.
After mating, the adult wasp searches for the larvae of the chestnut bee. It then uses its ovipositor to inject an egg into the gall. The wasp’s egg develops within the host’s larva, eventually feeding on its body fluids. Usually, one long-tailed wasp larva will parasitize just one chestnut bee larva. As a result, when the parasitism rate is high, the damage caused by the chestnut bee is significantly reduced.
Because the long-tailed wasp larvae live inside the galls alongside the chestnut bee larvae for a long time, they are often mistaken for them. This misunderstanding can lead to improper management practices, such as removing the galls during winter pruning, which can harm the beneficial wasps. Instead, it's important to protect and encourage the presence of the long-tailed wasp.
In areas where the parasitism rate is high, farmers should collect and store the galls cut during winter pruning. These can be reintroduced into the chestnut orchard between April and May to allow the wasps to hatch and reproduce. At this time, spraying should be avoided to prevent killing the beneficial wasps. Burning the galls at the right time can help reduce the population of chestnut bees, and with proper management, the natural parasitism rate can reach up to 40%.
Adult chestnut bees prefer to lay their eggs in the canopy of thin, weak branches that are sheltered from wind and rain. Therefore, during pruning, it's crucial to completely remove these weak branches to eliminate overwintering larvae. In summer, any tender galls should be cut and burned or buried deeply to prevent further infestation. When using insecticides, care must be taken to avoid harming the long-tailed wasp during its adult and egg-laying stages. By adopting these integrated pest management strategies, farmers can effectively control the chestnut bee while preserving the natural balance of the ecosystem.