A previously unidentified species of invasive parasitic wasps is now stalking their prey on both coasts of the United States coasts, according to some long-term entomological data. Galls are small, tumor-like growths formed on plants that act as incubators for oak gall wasp larvae. And the number of parasitic wasp species is even larger. Credit: Mehmet Akif Suna / iNaturalistAn out of place parasiteAfter years of research, the team has so far amassed an estimated 25 oak gall wasp species while also identifying over 100 parasitic wasp species. “We did find that they can parasitize multiple oak gall wasp species… [so] they could be affecting populations of native oak gall wasp species or other native parasites of oak gall wasps,” she said.