Little wasps on the prairie: How a species-rich field site could further understanding of gallmaker, Diplolepis and its inquiline, Periclistus

Kramer Prairie in eastern Washington State contains 27 acres of native Palouse prairie. It is home to over a dozen species of Diplolepis (Cynipidae), the rose gall wasps. Its closely associated inquiline, Periclistus (Cynipidae), is also present, evidenced by the inquiline’s ability to modify host gall morphology. Diplolepis and Periclistus are both in need of taxonomic revision. This field site provides a unique opportunity to investigate the ecology and coevolution of the genera. Future areas of study also include UCE phylogenies, morphometrics, taxonomic keys, and even the possible discovery of undescribed taxa.