Insect galls from the Serra Negra do Funil Natural Heritage Private Reserve, Rio Preto, MG (Southeastern Brazil)

Abstract

Serra Negra do Funil Natural Heritage Private Reserve (NHPR), located in MG, was surveyed for insect galls monthly from October, 2015 to May, 2020. The local vegetation was examined. Dried branches of the host plants were prepared and identified by a botanical taxonomist. Galls were photographed, removed from the plants and taken to the laboratory. By rearing and gall dissection, inducing-insects and other dwellers were obtained. A total of 63 gall morphotypes were found on 48 plant species of 22 families. Fabaceae and Asteraceae harbored the greatest gall richness. Twelve host plants are endemic to Brazil, one in vulnerable and one near threatened. Most galls were induced on leaves, brown and green were the most frequent gall colors, and globoid was the most common gall shape. The majority were glabrous, one-chambered and induced by Cecidomyiidae. These results reinforce Brazilian patterns of gall morphology. The highest richness of galls on Fabaceae and Asteraceae, and on trees and shrubs adds evidence in favor of the plant richness and architectural complexity hypotheses. New plant-gall inducer associations were provided. The role of gall-inducers as ecosystem engineer was reinforced. The high number of endemism shows the importance of this NHPR for the biodiversity conservation.

Insect galls of the Chapada Diamantina, Rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil

“…Gall inventories are essential to know the richness of gall-inducing insects and their host plants, moreover they provide reliable data on the identification of the host plants and of gall-inducing insects, plus the detailed characterization of the gall. As example, we can mention some recent inventories: Campos et al (2021), Maia & Mascarenhas (2022), and Proença & Maia (2023). Furthermore, new species of gall-inducing insects (as Clinodiplosis cecropiae Proença & Maia, 2020 and Distinctamyia matogrossensis Proença & Maia, 2021, for example), as well as the associated fauna, can be discovered during these inventories (Campos et al, 2021;Maia & Mascarenhas, 2022;Proença & Maia, 2023), thus contributing to knowledge about the biological interactions between different guilds.…”

“…As example, we can mention some recent inventories: Campos et al (2021), Maia & Mascarenhas (2022), and Proença & Maia (2023). Furthermore, new species of gall-inducing insects (as Clinodiplosis cecropiae Proença & Maia, 2020 and Distinctamyia matogrossensis Proença & Maia, 2021, for example), as well as the associated fauna, can be discovered during these inventories (Campos et al, 2021;Maia & Mascarenhas, 2022;Proença & Maia, 2023), thus contributing to knowledge about the biological interactions between different guilds. In addition, these studies increase knowledge of regional biodiversity and help in the search for patterns of distribution of the gall-inducing species involved; these data can be used in the preparation of management plans and biodiversity conservation of both natural and priority areas for conservation of flora and fauna (Silva et al, 2011).…”