From leaves to inflorescences: Gall induction of Iatrophobia brasiliensis Rübsaamen, 1915 on inflorescences of Manihot caerulescens Pohl (Euphorbiaceae) during the dry season

ABSTRACT Gall-inducing insects are highly specialized herbivores as they have the ability to control and redirect the development of host plants to obtain food and shelter. The distribution of galls on plants can be influenced by seasonality and phenological events, which determines the reproductive success of these insects. The species Manihot caerulescens Pohl (Euphorbiaceae) has a great diversity of gall-inducing insects in the Cerrado of Western Bahia. Our study aimed to (1) study the fauna associated with M. caerulescens Pohl (Euphorbiaceae) and (2) evaluate the phenological events of this host plant species. We performed gall collections between July 2018 and June 2020 and monitored 30 individuals of the host species to study the phenology in the Serra da Bandeira, Bahia, Brazil. The emerged insects in the laboratory were mounted on permanent slides and identified. We found galls on the stems, leaves and inflorescences. Stem galls were induced by lepidopterans (Alucitidae), and leaf and inflorescence galls by Iatrophobia brasiliensis Rübsaamen, 1915 (Cecidomyiidae). Further, we showed that I. brasiliensis preferentially induced galls on the leaves, however during the dry season, galls were induced on the inflorescences. Although the induction of galls on the leaves by I. brasiliensis has already been reported in the literature, here for the first time we record the presence of galls on the inflorescences induced by the same gall-inducing species. Our study constitutes an important contribution towards the knowledge of the insect-plant interaction between M. caerulescens and I. brasiliensis in the Cerrado of Bahia.

Insect galls from the Serra da Bandeira (Barreiras, Western Bahia, Brazil) / Galhas de insetos da Serra da Bandeira (Barreiras, Oeste da Bahia, Brasil)

Abstract Understanding the diversity of insect galls is pivotal to the establishment of conservation planning in different Brazilian ecosystems. Here, we (1) characterize the insect galls found on plant host species, (2) identify the gall-inducing insects to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and (3) record the presence of gall-associated fauna. Our study was carried out monthly from August, 2017 to July, 2018 along nine trails in Serra da Bandeira, which is located in an area of Cerrado stricto sensu over a year. We found 48 distinct gall morphotypes, belonging to 12 botanical families. The most morphotypes commonly found were globoid (27.1%), lenticular (27.1%) and cylindrical (25%). The plant organs most affected by galling insects were the leaves (73%), followed by the stem (19%), flower (4%), inflorescence (2%) and fruits (2%). The host botanical families holding the highest number of galls were Fabaceae (26), Malpighiaceae (5) and Anacardiaceae, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae (3). We observed that the genus Copaifera Lindl. (Fabaceae) had the greatest diversity of gall morphotypes, harboring 19 morphotypes distributed in three species that occur sympatrically - Copaifera sabulicola J. Costa (Fabaceae), Copaifera depilis Dwyer (Fabaceae) and Copaifera luetzelburgii Harms (Fabaceae). For the first time in Brazil, we recorded the occurrence of galls on flowers of Manihot caerulescens (Euphorbiaceae), on inflorescences of Mimosa acutistipula (Fabaceae) and flower buds of Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae), which were induced by Cecidomyiidae. Inducers of the order Diptera (Family Cecidomyiidae) were the most abundant, found in 14 morphotypes of galls. Regarding the associated fauna, we found insects primarily belonging the order Hymenoptera, and identified them as parasitoids. The information provided can be used highly by decision makers for conservation programs, as well as in other strategies for the conservation of biological diversity in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Resumo Compreender a diversidade de galhas de insetos é fundamental para o estabelecimento de planos de conservação em diferentes ecossistemas brasileiros. Aqui, nós (1) caracterizamos as galhas de insetos encontradas em espécies de plantas hospedeiras, (2) identificamos os insetos indutores de galhas até o nível taxonômico mais baixo possível e (3) registramos a presença de fauna associada a galhas. Nosso estudo foi realizado mensalmente de agosto de 2017 a julho de 2018 ao longo de nove trilhas na Serra da Bandeira, que está localizada em uma área de Cerrado stricto sensu ao longo de um ano. Encontramos 48 morfotipos distintos de galhas, pertencentes a 12 famílias botânicas. Os morfotipos mais comumente encontrados foram globoide (27,1%), lenticular (27,1%) e cilíndrico (25%). Os órgãos vegetais mais afetados pelos insetos galhadores foram as folhas (73%), seguidas do caule (19%), flor (4%), inflorescência (2%) e frutos (2%). As famílias botânicas hospedeiras com maior número de galhas foram Fabaceae (26), Malpighiaceae (5) e Anacardiaceae, Combretaceae e Euphorbiaceae (3). Observamos que o gênero Copaifera Lindl. (Fabaceae) apresentou a maior diversidade de morfotipos de galhas, abrigando 19 morfotipos distribuídos em três espécies que ocorrem simpatriicamente - Copaifera sabulicola J. Costa (Fabaceae), Copaifera depilis Dwyer (Fabaceae) e Copaifera luetzelburgii Harms (Fabaceae). Pela primeira vez no Brasil, registramos a ocorrência de galhas em flores de Manihot caerulescens (Euphorbiaceae), em inflorescências de Mimosa acutistipula (Fabaceae) e em botões florais de Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae), induzidas por Cecidomyiidae. Indutores da ordem Diptera (Família Cecidomyiidae) foram os mais abundantes, encontrados em 14 morfotipos de galhas. Em relação à fauna associada, encontramos insetos pertencentes principalmente à ordem Hymenoptera, e os identificamos como parasitóides. As informações fornecidas podem ser utilizadas por tomadores de decisão para programas de conservação, bem como em outras estratégias para a conservação da diversidade biológica no Cerrado brasileiro.

Insect galls associated with Copaifera sabulicola J.A.S Costa & L.P Queiroz (Fabaceae): Characterization and new records

ABSTRACT Among the plant diversity of the Cerrado, the genus Copaifera is commonly associated with galling insects. Here, we expand the knowledge about insect galls on Copaifera sabulicola J.A.S Costa & L.P. Queiroz (Fabaceae) by characterizing their occurrence in a stricto sensu vegetation area of the Brazilian Cerrado, Western Bahia, Brazil throughout the year. We randomly sampled 60 branches (50 cm long) from individuals of C. sabulicola, from April 2015 to March 2016. We found 11 morphotypes for C. sabulicola, of which 5 are new records. Further, we identified six gall-inducing insects, all belonging to Cecidomyiidae family. Regarding other arthropods associated with C. sabulicola, we observed inquilines, successors, and parasitoids, belonging to the orders Collembola, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Acari. The parasitoid fauna included three families of the order Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Encyrtidae and Eulophidae.

Mapping the habitat suitability of Andira humilis Mart. ex Benth. (Fabaceae) as a means to detect its associated galling species in Brazil

Host plant species have very specific interconnection with galling species. Here, we estimate the potential distribution of the host plant species Andira humilis Mart. ex Benth. (Fabaceae) to consequently locate the potential distribution ranges of its galling species Lopesia andirae Garcia, Lima, Calado, and Guimarães (2017) based on ecological requirements. The ecological niche model was built using Maxent v.3.4.1k, an algorithm that estimates species’ distributions. We found suitable habitats for L. andirae encompassing areas of the Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. Annual mean temperature (70.2%) and temperature annual range (13.9%) were the most critical factors shaping A. humilis and necessarily L. andirae. Our results can guide taxonomists and ecologists regarding the delineation of sampling areas as well as conservation strategies for this ecological interaction.

Insect galls in three species of Copaifera L. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) occurring sympatrically in a Cerrado area (Bahia, Brazil) / Galhas entomógenas em três espécies de Copaifera L. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) que ocorrem em simpatria em área de Cerrado (Bahia, Brasil)

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize galls of three species of the Copaifera genus (C. sabulicola, C. luetzelburgii and C. depilis), which occur sympatrically in a Cerrado area from Bahia state. A total of 23 gall morphotypes were found, 9 morphotypes on C. sabulicola, 7 on C. luetzelburgii and 7 on C. depilis. Galls predominated on leaves and stems. The most abundant colours found among galls were brown and green. Regarding the period of the year, from 35,511 leaflets analysed, 16,322 were collected in the dry season and 19,189 in the rainy season. In the dry season, 1,635 leaflets having galls were observed, and the highest proportion was observed on C. luetzelburgii (16.31%). In relation to the rainy season, there is statistical difference in the incidence of leaflets with galls between C. sabulicola and C. depilis, these two species are affected differently during the rainy season. In general, most of the gall morphotypes were more abundant in the dry season. The gallers of 18 morphotypes cannot be determined, because the gall samples were collected occupied by parasitoids or without dwellers. Cecidomyiids induced galls in five morphotypes. Associated invertebrates belonging to the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Acari were found among all gall morphotypes. The results obtained here indicate that the three species of Copaifera have an expressive number of galls, but lower than reported in the literature for C. langsdorffii, which is considered a super host.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar as galhas de três espécies do gênero Copaifera (C. sabulicola, C. luetzelburgii e C. depilis) que ocorrem em simpatria no Cerrado do Estado da Bahia. Um total de 23 morfotipos de galhas foi encontrado, sendo 9 morfotipos em C. sabulicola, 7 em C. luetzelburgii e 7 em C. depilis As galhas predominaram nas folhas e caules e os morfotipos com coloração marrom e verde foram os mais abundantes. Em relação à época do ano, do total de 35.511 folíolos analisados, 16.322 foram coletados no período seco e 19.189 no chuvoso. Na estação seca foram observados 1.635 folíolos com galhas, sendo que a maior proporção de folíolos galhados foi observada em C. luetzelburgii (16.31%). Já em relação à estação chuvosa, há diferença estatística na incidência de folíolos com galhas entre C. sabulicola e C. depilis, estas duas espécies são afetadas diferentemente durante a estação chuvosa. De forma geral, a maioria dos morfotipos foi mais abundante na estação seca. Os galhadores de 18 morfotipos não foram determinados, porque as galhas coletadas apresentavam parasitóides ou estavam vazias. Os cecidomiídeos foram os responsáveis pela indução de cinco morfotipos. Os invertebrados associados às galhas pertencentes às ordens Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera e Acari. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo apontam que as três espécies de Copaifera possuem um número expressivo de galhas, porém menor que o relatado na literatura para C. langsdorffii, a qual é considerada uma super hospedeira.

New species of Lopesia Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) associated with Andira humilis Mart. ex Benth. (Fabaceae)

Abstract A new species of Lopesia Rübsaamen, 1908 induces leaf galls on Andira humilis (Fabaceae) in the Cerrado biome (Brazilian savanna) of Bahia, Mato Grosso and São Paulo states, Brazil. Larva, pupa, female, and male of this new species of gall midge are described and illustrated in this paper.