The structural dynamics of host–parasitoid populations play a key role in the mechanism of natural community development with invasive species. Species invading new habitats experience coevolution with their newly acquired natural enemies, and their population dynamics are driven by a complex interaction between biological and environmental factors. We examined the biological and environmental factors which potentially influence a community of parasitoids throughout the 25-year invasion history of the pine needle gall midge (PNGM), Thecodiplosis japonensis, an important pest of pines in eastern Asia. We found that differences in establishment sequence and competitive ability among the parasitoids attacking this species determined the parasitoid community’s structure and dynamics. In particular, the timing for the initial establishment of the host–parasitoid association, incomplete superiority in competition among parasitoids, and indirect competition by a combination of the parasitoids were important factors for determining community’s structure and dynamics. Finally, the history of change in the community composition could be explained by the phenology differences in its member species, mediated by environmental factors.

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: Locust gall midge (LGM), Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a cecidomyiid insect forming roll-up galls on leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia Linnaeus (Fabaceae).LGM, known as native to North America, was reported from Korea and Japan in 2002. LGM was observed weekly or biweekly to clarify their voltinism and distribution within the crown of the host tree in two sites of Osan and Siheung in Korea from May to August, 2007. Density of LGM was investigated based on the number of larvae per leaf. Two generations of LGM were observed in Siheung site whereas three generations in Osan site during the present study. The result indicated that LGM had at maximum three generations per year. The density of LGM in Osan was higher in the upper crown of the host trees than middle or lower part. In Siheung, LGMs were distributed more on the exterior of the lower crown than the interior. The average number of larvae per gall was 3.3±0.1 and 2.8±0.1 individuals per leaf in Osan and Siheung, respectively.

The pine needle gall midge is the most injurious pest of Pinus densifora and P. thwzbergii in Korea. In general, pine needle gall midge damage reaches a maximal level about 7 years following invasion by the midge, and parasite populations increase a few years thereafter. Four species of Platygastridae that parasitize the midge have been found in Korea, and their parasitization percentages are on the increase. Three of the parasites, P. matsutama, I. hockpari, and I. seoulis are effective natural enemies of the midge and have been utilized for biological control by translocation.