Citrus Gall Wasp

Description:

A small black wasp about 3 mm long with a glossy rounded abdomen, textured thorax and deep red eyes.

Habitat:

Spotted sitting on a plant stake next to a pot containing Australian Finger Lime.

Notes:

These wasps are responsibe for galls on citrus, their natural host being the australian finger lime. The galls are rough textured swellings on the stem as seen in
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17....
The female lays her eggs in Summer and the wasps emerge in in the following Spring. They don't fly very well and are carried by the wind, thus getting dispersed far and wide.
The best way to keep these under control is to shave the galls and expose the insides killing any developing larvae. Minute holes on galls indicate that adults have already emerged.
Family: Eurytomidae