New Kazakhstan insects for Tamarix biocontrol in US

According to research of Kazakhstan biological control research group (since 1994) the 4 most preferable potential Tamarix biocontrol agents for introduction into U.S. (after D. elongata) are: 1) the stem-galling moth, Amblypalpis tamaricella (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae); 2) the foliage and flower galling psyllid, Crastina tamaricina (Homoptera, Psylloidea, Aphalaridae); 3) the gall midge, Psectrosema noxium (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae); and 4) the foliage-feeding weevil, Coniatus steveni (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). All can heavily damage Tamarix in Kazakhstan, and all have some protection from predators, and from drowning. The best agent among 4 species is Amblypalpis tamaricella, it inhabits riparian forests and deserts in south and southeastern Kazakhstan and heavy infestations are capable of killing entire trees.