Structural, histochemical and photosynthetic profiles of galls induced by Eugeniamyia dispar (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on the leaves of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

Gall-inducing insects manipulate the structural, histochemical and physiological profiles of host-plant tissues to develop galls. We evaluated galls induced by Eugeniamyia dispar on the leaves of Eugenia uniflora in an attempt to answer the following questions: (i) How does this gall-inducing insect change the structural and histochemical profiles of the host-plant organ? (ii) Despite structural changes, can gall tissues maintain photosynthetic activity? Starch, proteins, reducing sugars and reactive oxygen species were detected mainly in the nutritive tissue surrounding the larval chamber. Despite structural changes, the galls induced by E. dispar on E. uniflora retain chlorophyllous tissue, although its amount and photosynthetic activity are less than that of non-galled leaves. This reduced photosynthetic activity, in association with the presence of large intercellular spaces, could improve gas diffusion and, consequently, avoid hypoxia and hypercarbia in gall tissue.

The early developmental stages of gall-inducing insects define final gall structural and histochemical profiles: the case of Bystracoccus mataybae galls on Matayba guianensis

“…Some guilds of galling insects can develop a typical nutritive tissue around the larval chamber, with primary metabolite accumulation used in the galling insect´s diet (Bronner 1992;Ferreira et al 2017), and nutritive tissue formation and maintenance depending especially on the developmental stage of the galling insect (e.g. Rezende et al 2018). The Cecidomyiid galls usually accumulate carbohydrates, while galls induced by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera accumulate lipids (Raman and Dhileepan 1999;Raman et al 2007;Vieira and Kraus 2007;Bedetti et al 2013;Ferreira and Isaias 2013;Vecchi et al 2013;Ferreira et al 2017;Rezende et al 2018).…”

“…Rezende et al 2018). The Cecidomyiid galls usually accumulate carbohydrates, while galls induced by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera accumulate lipids (Raman and Dhileepan 1999;Raman et al 2007;Vieira and Kraus 2007;Bedetti et al 2013;Ferreira and Isaias 2013;Vecchi et al 2013;Ferreira et al 2017;Rezende et al 2018). In contrast, galls induced by phloem-sucking insects do not develop a true nutritive tissue since the feeding activity may be restricted to the phloem cells (Bronner 1992).…”

Perfil histoquímico e composição da parede celular durante o desenvolvimento de galhas induzidas por Bystracoccus mataybae (Eriococcidae) em Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae)

“…Some taxa of galling insects can develop a typical nutritive tissue around the larval chamber, with primary metabolite accumulation used in the galling diet . The cecidomyiid galls usually accumulate carbohydrates, while galls induced by Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera usually accumulate lipids Vieira and Kraus 2007;Vecchi et al 2013;Rezende et al 2018). In contrast, galls induced by phloem-sucking insects do not develop a true nutritive tissue since feeding activity may be restricted to the phloem cells .…”

Invesmento diferencial em compostos químicos nos tecidos de galhas induzidas por Palaeomystella olygophaga (Lepidoptera) em Macairea radula (melastomataceae)

“…The primary metabolites have been revealed in some galls also in the outer gall tissues, being considered as a storage tissue (Rezende et al 2018), which can present some complex carbohydrates, as starches (Bronner 1991). However, the storage of secondary metabolites is more common in the outer cortex of galls (Kuster et al 2019), normally associated with gall defense and regulation of homeostasis in the gall tissues (Isaias et al 2015).…”

“…In Macairea radula galls, the coloration varies from light green to dark red. Despite of the hypotheses of defensive roles of gall pigmentation (Lev-Yadun 2016) and the influence of changes in color by the interference of natural enemies(Dias et al 2013), no evidence was found in galls induced on M. radula(Rezende 2018).…”