Influence of Apion sp. (Brentidae, Apioninae) stem-galls on induced resistance and leaf area of Diospyros hispida (Ebenaceae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Influence of Apion sp. (Brentidae, Apioninae) stem-galls on induced resistance and leaf area of Diospyros hispida (Ebenaceae). We addressed the influence of the stem galls induced by an unidentified species of Apion -sensu lato (Brentidae, Apioninae) on the host plant, Diospyros hispida (Ebenaceae) leaf area and induced resistance against a Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) leaf galls. The study was performed in a cerrado vegetation in Serra do Cipó, southeastern Brazil. Although the number of leaves produced on galled and ungalled shoots did not differ statically (p>0.05), the presence of the apionid galls influenced the area of the leaves on the attacked shoots of D. hispida. Leaves on galled stems were approximately 50% smaller compared to leaves in healthy stems. The average of the cecidomyiid leaf galls successfully induced on healthy shoots was higher compared to galls successfully induced on shoots galled by the apionid. The same pattern was found for the abundance of hypersensitive reactions against the cedidomyiid gall induction. Therefore, the ability of the cecidomyiid to successfully induce galls was not influenced by the apionid galler.

3.6. Brentidae Billberg, 1820

“…Larvae are usually endophagous and, depending on the species, feed in plant roots, root collars, stems, leaves, flower buds, developing fruits or seeds. Gregari-ous larval feeding has been recorded to occur in galls induced by an unidentified apionine species on shoots of Diospyros hispida (Ebenaceae) (Souza et al 2006) and is also known from species of, e.g., Noterapion developing in galls caused by other insects. Apionine larvae may frequently induce root or stem galls, usually hosting a single larva.…”