OK. Now this is just wierd

[Ray]

Very good, folks. I'm leaning toward the insects, now.

 

[eteson]

Some Pictures:
I could not find alive larvae in my plants, neither fresh gall, which means that my plaguicide is working fine.
My advice is to remove the galls and destroy it asap.
Are those plants growing with you for a while or are new adquisitions?

 

[quietaustralian]

Excellent pics.
I understand why some consider it weird, I haven't seen galls like this on orchids.

Mick

 

[Ray]

Lance suggested I clarify that those are not my plants - I was trying to help out another grower by posting to this forum, where I know the average level of experience and intelligence is pretty high.

The plants in question reside in Argentina.

 

[gonewild]

I would suggest that if the plants are in the USA the owner should report the infestation to the Agriculture Dept, just in case this is a new invasive insect species from "Columbia".

 

[gonewild]

Thanks Eliseo for the great pictures that pretty much solves the puzzle.

 

[orcoholic]

Lance suggested I clarify that those are not my plants - I was trying to help out another grower by posting to this forum, where I know the average level of experience and intelligence is pretty high.

The plants in question reside in Argentina.

Yeah, sure Ray.

 

[gonewild]

The plants in question reside in Argentina.

That's far enough away from USA.

 

[Ray]

The original photo was shared on the mailing list [email protected], and I figured y'all would be able to help.

 

[naoki]

Eliseo's photos look similar to these:

http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/hym/chalcids/eurytomid/EuryAroids.html

Mostly in S. & C. America.

Did you by any chance ID's the insect species? The original photos look a bit different, but they may be at the different stage of infection. There is a reference to Kraus & Tanoue 1999, which studied this gall in C. guttata, so it might give some additional info.

 

[Ozpaph]

great photos and very educational. thanks

 

[eteson]

Eliseo's photos look similar to these:

http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/hym/chalcids/eurytomid/EuryAroids.html

Mostly in S. & C. America.

Did you by any chance ID's the insect species? The original photos look a bit different, but they may be at the different stage of infection. There is a reference to Kraus & Tanoue 1999, which studied this gall in C. guttata, so it might give some additional info.

In my case it is a small black wasp... but I have not Identified the species.
The galls of my pictures are about nine months old, and now the plants are pest free... but if you are interested i can get some specimens to be identified since this plague is very common here in Columbia.

 

[bullsie]

As the amount of pests are being introduced to the U.S. :crazy:, I foresee another 'monster' in my orchids. :viking:

 

[eteson]

As the amount of pests are being introduced to the U.S. :crazy:, I foresee another 'monster' in my orchids. :viking:

Introduction of foreign species involves some risks... oke:

 

[Trithor]

Have the root swellings in the original picture been cut and opened yet? I am interested to see if it is the same thing.