Gall-inducing insects of restinga areas (Atlantic Forest) in Brazil: economic importance

Many gall-inducing insects have been reported as pests in the Old World and North America, although few such examples are known from South America. A list of gall-inducing insects of potential economic importance, with a focus on those of restinga environments, was compiled using Maia (2013a) as starting point and updated with the database “Thompson ISI”, using ‘Insect (title) and gall (topic)’ as keywords. Botanical names were updated using the site “Flora do Brasil, 2020”, while potential economic significance of host plant species was acquired from Santos et al. (2009) and the site “Useful Tropical Plants”. Fifty-eight galling species were associated with 29 economically important plant species of 18 families in Brazilian restingas. The gallers were found to belong to Diptera (Cecidomyiidae and Agromyzidae) and Hemiptera (Eriococcidae and Psyllidae), among which Cecidomyiidae were the most important, with 55 gall-inducing species distributed among 28 genera. Six of the found genera are endemic to the Atlantic Forest and, until now, have been exclusively reported in restingas. About 78% of the gallers have been recorded only in Southeast Brazil and about 64% only in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Most gallers were found to be mainly associated with edible and/or medicinal plant species. Data on natural enemies are scarce with most records having been published at the taxonomic level of family or genus. Natural enemies were found associated with 43 gall-inducing species and included parasitoids, predators and inquilines. The first were the most diverse, being represented by 13 hymenopteran families, but the impacts of all of these guilds on galler populations are poorly known. Although 58 gall-inducing species were identified in the present study, the number of insect galls associated with plants of economic interests in restinga environments is about three times greater, since a total of 186 gall morphotypes have been reported. Nonetheless, many gallers are still undetermined, thus revealing how deficient their taxonomical knowledge remains

Gall-inducing insects of restinga areas (Atlantic Forest) in Brazil: economic importance

Many gall-inducing insects have been reported as pests in the Old World and North America, although few such examples are known from South America. A list of gall-inducing insects of potential economic importance, with a focus on those of restinga environments, was compiled using Maia (2013a) as starting point and updated with the database “Thompson ISI”, using ‘Insect (title) and gall (topic)’ as keywords. Botanical names were updated using the site “Flora do Brasil, 2020”, while potential economic significance of host plant species was acquired from Santos et al. (2009) and the site “Useful Tropical Plants”. Fifty-eight galling species were associated with 29 economically important plant species of 18 families in Brazilian restingas. The gallers were found to belong to Diptera (Cecidomyiidae and Agromyzidae) and Hemiptera (Eriococcidae and Psyllidae), among which Cecidomyiidae were the most important, with 55 gall-inducing species distributed among 28 genera. Six of the found genera are endemic to the Atlantic Forest and, until now, have been exclusively reported in restingas. About 78% of the gallers have been recorded only in Southeast Brazil and about 64% only in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Most gallers were found to be mainly associated with edible and/or medicinal plant species. Data on natural enemies are scarce with most records having been published at the taxonomic level of family or genus. Natural enemies were found associated with 43 gall-inducing species and included parasitoids, predators and inquilines. The first were the most diverse, being represented by 13 hymenopteran families, but the impacts of all of these guilds on galler populations are poorly known. Although 58 gall-inducing species were identified in the present study, the number of insect galls associated with plants of economic interests in restinga environments is about three times greater, since a total of 186 gall morphotypes have been reported. Nonetheless, many gallers are still undetermined, thus revealing how deficient their taxonomical knowledge remains

NOVAS INFORMAÇÕES BIOLÓGICAS SOBRE Eugeniamyia díspar (DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE), UMA PRAGA DE Eugenia uniflora L. (MYRTACEAE)

Eugeniamyia dispar (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) is one of the most harmful pests of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) in Brazil. In this study, new data on its biology and negative effects on the host plant are reported. This study was carried out from September, 2017 to August, 2018 in the Quinta da Boa Vista Park (municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil). We looked for plant individuals, measured their height and choose one to be studied, based on the exclusive presence of spongy galls. This individual was examined four times a month. The number of galls in early development, closed mature and open galls was counted to verify their abundance. The greatest peaks of galls in early development were observed from late December, 2017 to early March, 2018. Closed mature galls were found from September to October, 2017, from December, 2017 to March, 2018 and in August, 2018. Peaks of open galls followed with about a one week delay those of mature galls. Dried galls were observed throughout the study period. We observed different gall stages in a single leaf, indicating an overlap of generations. Aborted galls were observed. Leaves with a great number of galls easily detached from the plant. The leaf area loss is related to the presence of galls. At the beginning of this study, E. uniflora hosted only galls of E. dispar. Later, other gall midge, Clinodiplosis profusa, colonized the host plant. The presence of a second galler increases the impact of herbivory on the plant.Keywords: Damage; gall; host plant; crop.Eugeniamyia dispar (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) é uma das pragas mais nocivas de Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) no Brasil. Neste estudo, novos dados sobre sua biologia e efeitos negativos na planta hospedeira são relatados. Este estudo foi realizado no período de setembro de 2017 a agosto de 2018 no Parque Quinta da Boa Vista (município do Rio de Janeiro, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil). Procuramos indivíduos vegetais, medimos sua altura e escolhemos um a ser estudado, com base na presença exclusiva de galhas esponjosas. Este indivíduo foi examinado quatro vezes por mês. O número de galhas em desenvolvimento inicial, galhas maduras fechadas e abertas foi contado para verificar sua abundância. Os maiores picos de galhas no início do desenvolvimento foram observados do final de dezembro de 2017 ao início de março de 2018. Galhas maduras fechadas foram encontradas de setembro a outubro de 2017, de dezembro de 2017 a março de 2018 e em agosto de 2018. Os picos de galhas abertas ocorreram cerca de uma semana após os picos das galhas maduras. Galhas secas foram observadas ao longo do período de estudo. Observamos diferentes estágios de galhas em uma única folha, indicando uma sobreposição de gerações. Galhas abortadas foram observadas. Folhas com grande número de galhas destacam-se facilmente da planta. A perda de área foliar está relacionada à presença de galhas. No início deste estudo, E. uniflora hospedava apenas galhas de E. dispar. Mais tarde, outro cecidomiídeo galhador, Clinodiplosis profusa, colonizou a planta hospedeira. A presença de um segundo galhador aumenta o impacto da herbivoria na planta.Palavras-chave: Danos, fel, planta hospedeira, colheita

A new species of Dasineura Rondani, 1840 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) associated with Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae)

Dasineura byrsonimae sp. nov., a gall midge that induces galls on leaves of Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae), is described and illustrated (male, female, pupa and larva).Dasineura byrsonimae sp. nov., um cecidomiídeo que induz galhas nas folhas de Byrsonima sericea (Malpighiaceae) é descrita e ilustrada (macho, fêmea, pupa e larva)

A new species of gall midge (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) associated with Pleroma raddianum (DC.) Gardner (Myrtales: Melastomatacea), an endenic plant to Brazil

Lopesia pleromatis sp. nov. (Lopesiini, Cecidomyiidi) is described based on material collected in Atlantic Forest areas of Bertioga (São Paulo State, Brazil). Specimens were obtained from globoid leaf galls on Pleroma raddianum (DC.) Gardner (Melastomataceae), an endemic plant to Brazil. Lopesia pleromatis is compared to other congeneric species. The most important morphological characters are illustrated

INSETOS INDUTORES DE GALHAS EM Calophyllum brasiliense CAMBESS. (CALOPHYLLACEAE): NOVOS REGISTROS GEOGRÁFICOS E DADOS SOBRE ABUNDÂNCIA E TAXA DE INFESTAÇÃO

Calophyllum brasiliense (Calophyllaceae) was investigated for insect galls in the municipalities of Teresina de Goiás and Cavalcante, state of Goiás, Central-West Region of Brazil. Gall-inducing species were identified based on gall morphology and host plant species. Galler abundance and infestation rate were evaluated by counting the number of galls on 20 randomly chosen branches. A total of four gall morphotypes were found: claviform leaf galls, marginal leaf rolls and globoid bud galls in Teresina de Goiás, and fusiform stem galls in Cavalcante. All inducers are reported for the first time from both localities and the area of occurrence for the undescribed galler responsible for claviform galls is broadened to include the state of Goiás. Leaf galls were the most abundant, but the total number of galled leaves was very low (less than 5%). Contarinia gemmae Maia, 2003 (responsible for bud galls) infested the greatest number of branches, but with few galls per branch. Since the abundances of all the gall morphotypes were low, the impact of gallers on C. brasiliense is also probably low.Keywords: Cecidomyiidae; Central-West Brazil; Diptera; insect-plant interaction.Calophyllum brasiliense (Calophyllaceae) foi investigada à procura de galhas de insetos em dois municípios de Goiás (Centro-oeste do Brasil): Teresina de Goiás e Cavalcante. As espécies indutoras foram identificadas com base na morfologia da galha e espécie de planta hospedeira. A abundância dos galhadores e taxa de infestação foram avaliadas contando-se o número de galhas em 20 ramos escolhidos ao acaso. Quatro morfotipos de galhas foram encontrados, três em Teresina de Goiás (galha foliar claviforme, enrolamento da margem da folha e galha globóide da gema) e um em Cavalcante (galha caulinar fusiforme). Todos indutores são registrados pela primeira vez em ambos municípios e a área de ocorrência do galhador responsável pela galha claviforme é ampliada para o estado de Goiás. As galhas foliares foram as mais abundantes, mas o número total de folhas com galhas foi muito baixo (menor que 5%). Contarinia gemmae Maia, 2003 (responsável pelas galhas da gema) infestou o maior número de ramos, mas com poucas galhas por ramo. Como todos os morfotipos de galhas foram pouco abundantes, o impacto dos indutores sobre a planta hospedeira é provavelmente baixo.Palavras-chave: Cecidomyiidae, Centro-Oeste do Brasil, Diptera, interação inseto-planta

NOVOS REGISTROS GEOGRÁFICOS DE Lopesia RÜBSAAMEN, 1908 (INSECTA, DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE) NA AMÉRICA DO SUL

Lopesia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) is known from 30 species, 25 Neotropical. All are gall-inducers and monophagous, except Lopesia davillae. Each species induces a peculiar gall on the host plant. Due to this specificity, gall morphotype + host plant identification are used to indicate the galler’ presence.  Most galling-species are known from few localities and the examination of galled exsiccates can add new geographic records. Museu Nacional and Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro herbaria were investigated. 174 exsiccates with galls of seven species of Lopesia were found. Several new records are reported (country:1, states: 17, and municipalities: 35). Keywords: Gall, insect–plant interactions, geographic distribution.Lopesia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) é um gênero conhecido por 30 espécies, 25 delas Neotropical. Todas são indutoras de galhas e monófagas, exceto Lopesia davillae. Cada espécie induz uma galha peculiar em sua planta hospedeira. Devido a essa especificidade, o morfotipo de galha + a espécie de planta hospedeira são usados para indicar a presença do galhador.  A maioria das espécies indutoras é conhecida de poucas localidades e o exame de exsicatas com galhas pode acrescentar novos registros geográficos. Os herbários do Museu Nacional e do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro foram vistoriados. Cento e setenta e quatro exsicatas com galhas de sete espécies de Lopesia foram encontradas. Novos registros são assinalados (país:1, estados: 17 e municípios: 35).Palavras-chave: Galha, interação inseto–plantas, distribuição geográfica

A new species of Clinodiplosis Kieffer (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) associated with Cecropia sp. (Urticaceae) in Brazil

Clinodiplosis cecropiae Proença & Maia a new species of Cecidomyiidae (Insecta: Diptera) is described and illustrated herein (larva, pupal exuviae, male and female). Samples of gall and host plant were collected in Amazon Rainforest areas, in Monte Negro municipality, Rondônia state, Brazil. The galler was obtained by rearing in laboratory. The specimens were mounted on microscope slides. The type material is deposited in the Cecidomyiidae collection of Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. The new species induces globoid galls on stems of Cecropia sp. (Urticaceae). This is the first record of a Clinodiplosis species inducing galls on Urticaceae plants