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Galls are novel plant structures that develop in response to select biotic stressors. These structures, extended phenotypes of the inducer, usually serve to protect and feed the inducer or its progeny. This life history strategy has evolved dozens of times, and tens of thousands of species — including many bacteria, fungi, nematodes, mites and insects — are capable of manipulating plants in this way. The variation in gall phenotypes is extraordinary across species but usually predictable for each species of inducer. We introduce here a new ontology, GallOnt, that facilitates consistent descriptions and the semantic representation of and reasoning over plant gall phenotype data. GallOnt was largely developed from ontologies in the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology (OBO) Foundry and stands to connect plant gall phenotypes to knowledge derived from model plant systems, including genotype-phenotype and agricultural research. We also introduce the idea of a new gall data standard — Minimum Information for the Description of Galls (MIDG version 0.1) — as a starting point for discussions regarding cecidology best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying resistant wheat cultivars is the most economical and environment‐friendly strategy to manage the devastating effects of the dipteran pest, Hessian fly (Hf; Mayetiola destructor). Currently, 37 Hf resistance genes have been identified to combat the 18 Hf genotypes documented so far. However, the Hf populations adapt rapidly to overcome the newly deployed resistance genes within a few years of release resulting in development of virulent Hf biotypes and breakdown of plant resistance. Identification of new and novel sources of resistance offers breeders additional resources that can be included in the breeding programmes to develop elite Hf‐resistant cultivars. In the current study, we screened 374 wheat (tetraploid and hexaploid) accessions originating from different regions of the United States and identified three tetraploid (Triticum turgidum) pasta wheat lines, one originating from North Dakota (PI 639869) and two from Minnesota (PI 352398 and CItr 15710) exhibiting ≥95% resistance to Hf biotype L at 20°C. Further, the wheat cultivar PI 352398 showed 100% resistance to six additional Hf genotypes including biotypes B, C, D, O, GP and vH13. The lines PI 639869 and CItr 15710 also showed >70% resistance with most biotypes, except against biotype GP with the former and biotype B with the latter. Interestingly, a few plants from these two cultivars exhibited putative tolerance to these biotypes where the plants showed normal growth but harboured white, live larvae and showed cell permeability that was intermediate in levels between Hf‐infested resistant and susceptible wheat. Additionally, since the increase in environmental temperatures to 25–30°C also negatively impacts Hf resistance, the three T. turgidum (PI 639869, PI 352398 and CItr 15710) cultivars were evaluated for Hf resistance at 30°C. None of the wheat cultivars were resistant to Hf biotype L at 30°C indicating a temperature‐dependent breakdown of resistance and are therefore not suitable for geographical regions with higher environmental temperatures. Taken together, these three wheat lines represent additional sources of Hf resistance that can be leveraged by breeders for developing durable elite lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological networks describe community structure by focusing on how nodes are connected by links (interactions). Related species have higher probabilities of sharing links if interactions depending on phylogeny and/or species are functionally similar; however, if and how this modularity impacts higher trophic levels is still an open question.We aimed to evaluate the effect of different structuring factors on an observed bipartite network of galling insects and associated parasitoids on a system with two closely related and recently diverged plants, where host‐tracking could be underway. We hypothesized that gall structure, galler taxonomy and host plant identity could contribute, from a higher to a lower degree respectively, to network modularity by generating a selective pressure on parasitoids.Samples were collected between May 2015 and June 2017 in the forest areas of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Overall, we found 4629 galls of three monophagous and four oligophagous galling species; 664 parasitoid individuals were obtained and classified into 37 morphospecies.We constructed four networks with the collected data by organising nodes according to the tested factors, that is, gall structure, galler taxonomy, host plant identity and gall–plant interaction. All networks were significantly modular, and for three out of four analysed factors (gall structure, galler taxonomy and gall–plant interaction), modularity levels were at least intermediate (at about Q = 0.4).Barriers to or preferences for certain interactions appear to be responses to multiple concomitant factors. However, galler taxonomy and host plant identity are somehow stronger determinants for the parasitoids in terms of attacked hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of investigations 2010 through 2023 of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with gall midges in Europe. A total of 242 collections of gall midges were made, from each of which one to several parasitoid species emerged, resulting in ca. 200 recorded parasitoid species and 267 host-parasitoid interaction records. The parasitoid families involved were Eulophidae (63 species), Platygastridae (56 species), Torymidae (34 species), Pteromalidae (31 species), Ceraphronidae (5 species), Eupelmidae (4 species), Eurytomidae (2 species) and Encyrtidae (1 species). As many as 159 interactions are reported for the first time, significantly enlarging our knowledge of gall midge – parasitoid interactions on the species level. Even more interesting, 51 host records are for parasitoid species for which no host was previously known. Similarly, 28 species of gall midge are reported as host to named parasitoids for the first time. Additionally, 91 parasitoid records were the first for the country in question. Differences between the rearing methods applied and their suitability for recording species with contrasting life histories, are discussed.

We report the results of investigations 2010 through 2023 of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with gall midges in Europe. A total of 242 collections of gall midges were made, from each of which one to several parasitoid species emerged, resulting in ca. 200 recorded parasitoid species and 267 host-parasitoid interaction records. The parasitoid families involved were Eulophidae (63 species), Platygastridae (56 species), Torymidae (34 species), Pteromalidae (31 species), Ceraphronidae (5 species), Eupelmidae (4 species), Eurytomidae (2 species) and Encyrtidae (1 species). As many as 159 interactions are reported for the first time, significantly enlarging our knowledge of gall midge - parasitoid interactions on the species level. Even more interesting, 51 host records are for parasitoid species for which no host was previously known. Similarly, 28 species of gall midge are reported as host to named parasitoids for the first time. Additionally, 91 parasitoid records were the first for the country in question. Differences between the rearing methods applied and their suitability for recording species with contrasting life histories, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial structures, increased pollution levels and hotter temperatures found in urban environments disrupt trophic interactions by impoverishing biotic communities and favouring organisms with high mobility, thermal and pollution tolerance. Yet, we still know little about the impacts of urbanization on the trophic interaction of organism in tropical urban ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated biotic and abiotic factors that potentially affect the association between stem galls and their host plant in a Brazilian tropical city. The abundance of galls varied with landscape characteristics and key predictors for their occurrence were plant height, herbivory, and impervious surface. The strong positive association between occurrence of galls and herbivory is noteworthy and suggestive that galls mediate the occurrence of other herbivorous arthropods. The landscape-level shifts toward highly urbanised areas reduce occurrence of galls, while increases the occurrence of the host plant. Although physical barriers could be a key driver for decrease in galls occurrence, we found plants harbouring galls even in highly urbanized sites suggesting gall-makers might cross physical barriers. The increased built-up cover disrupts this trophic interaction, yet it is challenging to pinpoint the key drivers. Galling insects are extreme resource specialists and host plant parts cut due to management practices (mowing) could reduce habitat availability and may have contributed to their decline in highly urbanised sites. As the world became more urbanised the understanding of the drivers that shape trophic interaction in urban environment becomes increasingly important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geonoma cuneata is a variable species with eight subspecies and one of two palms worldwide with a gall record. In this species, staggered flowering has been suggested as a possible mechanism to explain its reproductive isolation from sympatric subspecies. In this study, we examined the phenology of two G. cuneata subspecies and their gall inductor, Contarinia geonomae, in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. For 207 consecutive weeks, we monitored the phenology of 79 G. cuneata individuals and recorded the outcomes of 434 inflorescences in terms of abortions, fruit, and gall success. We analyzed phenological patterns, checked for seasonality and synchrony, and evaluated the effects of precipitation and temperature on each phenophase. The reproductive outcomes of the two subspecies were compared in terms of abortions of the inflorescences and the development of fruits or galls in the infructescences. Both subspecies were mainly seasonal and showed a clear overlap in all phenophases during the four years of study. However, seasonality and synchrony were very well marked in G. cuneata subsp. cuneata whereas G. cuneata subsp. procumbens was characterized by lower synchrony and higher abortion rates. Emergent inflorescences were influenced by average temperature, while flowering was influenced by monthly rainfall and average temperature. Moreover, the peak flowering occurred just after the end of the dry season, whereas ripe fruits peaked at the end of the rainy period. Ripe fruits showed higher levels of synchrony and were the only phenophase in which the mean date did not differ among subspecies. This was partly explained by the higher number of abortions and lower fruiting success of individuals flowering outside the peak period. Instead, such individuals are more likely to have infructescences with galls and higher loads. Flowering convergence did not support phenology as a mechanism of reproductive isolation. However, an extended combination of time from flowering to fruiting in both subspecies benefits the gall inductor by providing an extended period of oviposition and adult emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Conservation Units (CUs) tend to have a high richness of herbivorous insects, including gall-inducing insects. Despite this, gall surveys carried out in these environments are punctual and some units have never had their galls investigated, such as the Chapada Diamantina National Park, Bahia (Chapada Diamantina Parna). Aiming to reduce this gap and contribute to future studies in CUs, this study aimed to survey the galls of the Chapada Diamantina Parna, Lençóis, as well as to investigate trends in research on galls in CUs in Brazil. For that, collections were carried out on monthly trips for one year. Published gall surveys were compiled. A total of 107 morphotypes induced in 88 host species were recorded. Most galls are formed in leaves, globoid in shape, green in color, and induced by Cecidomyiidae. This park has a relatively high richness of galls compared to other CUs, demonstrating its importance in the conservation of gall-inducing insects. The results also revealed that the number of surveys has been increasing over the years and that the Southeast concentrates the largest number of studies, a region that also gathers the largest number of specialists, demonstrating a geographic bias in the data.

Abstract We surveyed insect galls and their host plants in areas of Caatinga and Cerrado in the municipality of Rio de Contas, in the extreme south of the Chapada Diamantina (Bahia state), between 703 and 1,897 m altitude, in order to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of local biodiversity. The survey was conducted in eight locations, adopting the random walking methodology for sampling, four in Caatinga and four in Cerrado, covering distinct phytophysiognomies (cerrado sensu stricto, gallery forest, shrubby caatinga, riparian forest, and rocky field). Eighty-four different insect gall morphotypes were reported, 48 (57.14%) of them on 42 host species in Cerrado and 36 (42.86%) on 24 host species in Caatinga. Most galls occurred on leaves (48.72%) and were globoid (53.76%), glabrous (52.92%), isolated (55.44%), usually one-chambered (61.32%), and brown (25.2%). The gall-inducing insects identified belonged to Lepidoptera (n = 1), Thysanoptera (n = 1), Hemiptera (n = 2), and Diptera (Cecidomyiidae) (n = 16). This was the first inventory of galls in the Chapada Diamantina, so all records are new for the region. We also recorded the first occurrences of galls on two Cerrado plant species and on two in the Caatinga. We found a significant positive correlation between gall richness and plant species richness, suggesting that radiation of gall-inducing insects may be associated with plant species richness.

ABSTRACT The Maricá Environmental Protection Area (RJ, Southeastern Brazil) is predominantly occupied by the restinga ecosystem. Two broad inventories of insect galls and several contributions to the taxonomical knowledge of the local gall-inducing fauna have been done since 1992. The present study aims to compile literature data, compare them with data from recent collections and evaluate the similarity between the gall-inducing insects from this area and those from other restingas, using the Sorensen’s index. Field work was carried out from April 2021 to March 2022, in a total of 14 expeditions. All voucher material was deposited in the Entomological Collection of Museu Nacional/UFRJ. According to literature compilation, the Environmental Protection Area of Maricá (MEPA) hosts 108 gall-inducing species, 83.3% were collected again. Twenty-three gall morphotypes were found for the first time in the study area as well as two host plants, Schwartzia brasiliensis (Marcgraviaceae) and Lantana fucata (Verbenaceae). All Brazilian restingas have low similarity with MEPA, which shows that this restinga is unique in the composition of the gall-inducers. MEPA includes 63 endemic species and morphospecies of cecidogenous insects. Nyctaginaceae, Boraginaceae, and Erythroxylaceae showed the greatest average of inducers by plant species. However, these taxa are not the best represented in MEPA, but they include super hosts, which explains their highest value. The family Myrtaceae shelters the greatest richness of gall-inducing insects and the greatest richness of host plant species. A new case of inquilinism was observed in galls on Neomitranthes obscura (Myrtaceae).

The paper reports the first finding of Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) and Obolodiplosis robiniae Haldeman, 1847 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on the territory of the Voronezh State Natural Biosphere Reserve. Some features of the biology of the local M. robiniella population are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Botanical Garden of the Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) was investigated monthly from October, 2017 to December, 2019 in a total of 27 collections, each lasting four hours, following the methodology of random walking. Vegetative and reproductive organs of herbs, bushes and trees (up to 2 m high) were examined by two people. Voucher material was deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional (MNRJ)/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. We found 13 insect gall morphotypes in nine host plant species of four families. All host plants are native of Brazil, except Ficus microcarpa L.f. (Moraceae), which is naturalized. Myrtaceae and Moraceae were the plant families with the greatest richness of gall morphotypes. Eugenia L. (Myrtaceae) and Ficus L. (Moraceae) were the plant genera with the highest number of gall morphotypes. In several inventories in the Atlantic forest, Myrtaceae and Eugenia stand out for harboring a great variety of galls, while Moraceae and Ficus were never stood out for this reason. Most plant species mentioned in the present study were already known as hosts of gall-inducing insects in Brazil. However, for the first time, insect galls are reported on Ficus crocata (Miq.) Miq. (Moraceae). We found two new morphotypes on Eugenia florida DC. (Myrtaceae). Leaves, stems and buds were the galled organs. Cecidomyiidae were the most frequent inducers. Galls of Thysanoptera were also found. Inquilines were observed in leaf galls on Eugenia florida. They promoted differences in gall morphology and killed the gall-inducing larva.

ABSTRACT Ambrosia gall midges (AGMs) are mostly host plant-specific. In their galls, they harbor fungal symbionts on which they feed. Therefore, they represent unique steps in the evolution of the gall-forming Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Gall-associated fungi have been studied predominantly by cultivations, and potential larval endosymbionts have been completely neglected. Using ITS2 rRNA metabarcoding, we characterized the mycobiomes of individual gall compartments (gall surface, gall interior, and larva) of six species from two phylogenetically separated tribes (Asphondyliini and Lasiopterini). Compared to the gall surface and interior, the larvae harbored significantly higher fungal richness and taxonomic diversity, and a larger pool of indicator taxa. Larval mycobiome composition was more species-specific; however, the fungal genera Fusarium, Filobasidium, Tilletiopsis, Alternaria, and Aureobasidium were indicator taxa shared among species. Overall, the larvae harbored 29% of unique taxa that can play a functional role in the host (e.g., initiation of gall development or selection of the mycelia composition). The mycobiome of the gall interior was assembled least stochastically, and its composition was the least species-specific, being dominated by Botryosphaeria dothidea (except for Lasioptera arundinis). Therefore, the interior of ambrosia galls offers a unique environment that supports the growth of similar fungi, regardless of the host plant species and the phylogenetic distance between the AGM tribes. Our study illustrates a range of fungal microorganisms indicative of individual gall compartments, but their potential function, especially in larvae, remains to be solved. IMPORTANCE Ambrosia gall midges are endophagous insect herbivores whose larvae live enclosed within a single gall for their entire development period. They may exhibit phytomycetophagy, a remarkable feeding mode that involves the consumption of plant biomass and mycelia of their cultivated gall symbionts. Thus, AGMs are ideal model organisms for studying the role of microorganisms in the evolution of host specificity in insects. However, compared to other fungus-farming insects, insect–fungus mutualism in AGMs has been neglected. Our study is the first to use DNA metabarcoding to characterize the complete mycobiome of the entire system of the gall-forming insects as we profiled gall surfaces, nutritive mycelia, and larvae. Interestingly, larval mycobiomes were significantly different from their nutritive mycelia, although Botryosphaeria dothidea dominated the nutritive mycelia, regardless of the evolutionary separation of the tribes studied. Therefore, we confirmed a long-time hypothesized paradigm for the important evolutionary association of this fungus with AGMs.

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.

Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot of blueberry, caused by Exobasidium maculosum, results in significant yield losses if not properly managed. To determine if an arthropod is involved in transmission, we conducted arthropod exclusion and trapping studies at two field sites in Georgia from 2018 to 2020. In each field, 10 pairs of potted trap plants were placed under blueberry bushes for 2 weeks during the known infection window in early spring. In each pair, one potted plant was covered with exclusion nets before being taken to the field, and the other was left uncovered. The covered plants developed significantly fewer leaf spots (mean = 2) than the uncovered plants (mean = 128), indicating that an agent necessary for infection was excluded. To identify possible vectors, a variety of traps were used to collect arthropods in both fields during the known infection window. A total of 181 insects were selected from traps, then crushed and plated on potato dextrose agar to assess for growth of E. maculosum. A species-specific PCR assay was developed and conducted to test for E. maculosum. We recovered E. maculosum from one gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and detected it in three additional insects by PCR. One could not be identified, and two were two long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). Bioassays with spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) and brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) did not show transmission of the disease. Although we did not conclusively identify specific vectors, we provide evidence of vector involvement in transmission of E. maculosum. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Determining the main pollinators and the factors that control their abundance is a prerequisite for improving the production of many crops, including the globally important cash crop cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). Yet, the identity and the breeding habitats of cacao pollinators remain controversial since they are very difficult to identify morphologically due to their small size. It is known that tiny midges are involved in cacao pollination, but their diversity and ecology remain obscure. Here, we combined the collection of flower visitors, the use of emergence traps, and DNA barcoding to assess the diversity of dipteran cacao flower visitors and link them to five candidate breeding habitats in an agroforestry system in central Nicaragua. We detected 59 lineages of dipteran flower visitors, including Cecidomyiidae, Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, and Sciaridae, suggesting that dipteran cacao pollinator diversity may be much higher than previously assumed. Five lineages could be genetically traced back to specific breeding habitats. We conclude that the presented approach can be a promising tool to reliably delineate potential pollinator species and their breeding habitats, which can inform management strategies to promote cacao pollination.

Abstract The shape of the galls can be adjusted by factors such as natural enemies and climatic conditions to which the galls are subjected. Studies that evaluate the climatic regime as a possible driver of the morphology of galls are scarce and do not consider Neotropical systems. To fill this knowledge gap, this study evaluated the influence of seasonality on the morphology of Cecidomyiidae galls induced on Myrcia neoobscura (Myrtaceae) growing in the Cerrado of Bahia. A total of 270 galls were sampled during the dry and rainy seasons. The average monthly precipitation was obtained. The galls were refrigerated, weighed, and measured within 72 h of collection. The average weight of the galls ranged from 0.106 g to 0.780 g; while, the volume ranged from 35.07 mm3 to 726.70 mm3 and the surface area from 20.03 mm2 to 719.57 mm2. The average weight, volume, and surface area of galls were approximately 50% higher during the rainy season than during the dry season. These three variables were also positively related to average precipitation. These results support the hypothesis that seasonality may contribute to the observed variation in the final shape of galls on a local scale.

Abstract This study aimed at survey insect galls of an Amazon rainforest area in Rondônia, Brazil. We found 152 gall morphotypes in 103 plant species. Fabaceae were the host with the greatest gall richness. Leaves were the most galled organ. Globose and glabrous galls were the most frequent. Cecidomyiidae were responsible for most of the galls. This is the first record of 110 galls morphotypes and 23 host plants species in this biome. Ten gallers are endemic in Brazil. Five genera of Cecidomyiidae were first recorded in Rondônia as well as Schismatodiplosis lantanae Rübsaamen, 1908.

In insects, cuticular lipids prevent water loss and act as semiochemicals. Because of their ecological function, the profile change across the insects' sex and development offers insight into insect biology and possible tools for pest management. Here, the first work on cecidomyiid cuticular extracts is proposed considering Dasineura oleae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) males and females at different adult ages (0–12 h, 12–24 h, 24–36 h) and distinct sexual conditions (virgin and mated). A set of 49 compounds were recorded (12 alkanes, 1 monomethyl alkane, 11 fatty acids, 4 esters, 1 aldehyde, 1 allylbenzene, 1 amine, 1 flavonoid, 1 ketone, 1 phenol, 1 steradiene, 1 sterol, 1 terpene, 1 triterpene and 11 unknown compounds), and 18 of them showed significant differences between groups. Among alkanes, hexacosane (nC26) exhibited a decreasing trend from the youngest to the oldest females, while pentacosane (nC25) and nonacosane (nC29) showed a decreasing trend from 0 to 12 h to 12–24 h virgin females. In addition, nonadecane (nC19) was significantly more abundant in the youngest males compared to older males and females. The alkanes nC25, nC26 and nC29 have been reported to be age-related also in other dipterans, while nC19 has been described as gender-specific chemical cue for platygastrid parasitoids. Further behavioural trials and analyses are required to assign the specific ecological roles to the characterized compounds. Our results may contribute to develop new low-impact control strategies relying on the manipulation of D. oleae's chemical communication (e.g. disruption of mating or species recognition). Highlights: • Cuticular hydrocarbons are often involved in dipteran intraspecific communication. • We explored the cuticular profile of D. oleae at different age, sex, mating condition. • Five alkanes and one mono-methyl alkane showed differences among groups. • Linoleic acid is the most abundant compound in virgins, absent in mated insects. • Eleven compounds disappear in mated insects, but were present in all virgins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he gall midge is the only known dipteran herbivorous insect on oak trees (with the exception of occasional opportunistic pollen feeders). The quercus gall midge is very host specific, it develops on the turkey oak (Quercus cerris). In Romania, there are 4 species of gall midges associated with Quercus spp., and recently the species Janetia cerris has been found in the urban green landscape of Timisoara. The damage caused by this species manifests itself in the appearance of conical galls on the upper side of the leaves, up to 3 mm high and light green in colour. The larvae develop inside these galls. Our investigations were carried out during 2022 – 2023 in 4 observation points in parks and green urban spaces in the city of Timișoara. During our investigation we used the same collecting method at each sample points. We noted in the protocol the geographical characteristics of biotopes and the local abundance of species. The survey indicates a high infestation level with gall midges in all 4 observation points that exceeds 70% of all analyzed samples. The attack can be recognized by the galls that appear on the upper side of the leaf, which have a sharp appearance, are about 2 mm long and lack pubescence; while on the lower side of the leaf, the gall is prominent, up to 5 mm in diameter, with long, yellow-brown hairs. Photos with larvae, galls on leaves, identification keys and brief description for this species are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caatinga vegetation is an important natural laboratory for the study of how plants and gall-inducing insects interact in highly variable and stressful moisture regimes. Despite this, only five gall inventories have been conducted and its richness of inducing insects and host plants has been little known. To contribute to our knowledge of galls from caatinga habitats, we registered and characterized the macroscopic aspects of the galls, then identifed the plant hosts and their associated fauna in two areas of caatinga in São Francisco River Natural Monument (MONA). Nineteen morphotypes of galls were recorded on 11 plant belonging to eight genera and six host plant families. Of the total number of galls recorded, most occurred in the rainy season (n=13). Most of the galls are globoid (n=10), pilose (n=10), green (n=15), and isolated (n=12). Most of the gall-inducing insect species found belonged to Diptera (Cecidomyiidae). All morphotypes recorded in this study are the first ones recorded of galls and their host plants in MONA. We also recorded, for the first time, the occurrence of galls in the floral buds of Cnidoscolus obtusifolius Pohl ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), demonstrating the importance of conducting studies in areas not yet sampled in the Caatinga biome. It is expected that this study will stimulate future investigations, helping in the protection and conservation of this conservation area and consequently increasing our knowledge about its biodiversity.

El caldén es una especie arbórea de ambientes templado-semiáridos y endémica de la Argentina. El objetivo fue estudiar la morfología, desarrollo y biología de la agalla inducida por un cecidómido en el pecíolo y pulvino del caldén. Fueron colectadas hojas con y sin agallas en fragmentos de bosques periurbanos de Santa Rosa, La Pampa. Los cortes histológicos temporarios fueron realizados a mano alzada y los permanentes con micrótomo rotatorio. Fueron examinadas larvas, pupas y adultos del inductor. La formación de la agalla altera la zona de la base foliar y principalmente el pulvino primario. La agalla es globoide, cerrada, castaño amarillo cuando madura, con 1-3 cámaras larvales y constituida por dos partes (superior e inferior). La organización interna en compartimentos de tejidos es acorde a la estructura general de las agallas de cecidómidos. Entre los rasgos distintivos se destacan la formación de súber, la modificación de las células epidérmicas en esclereidas en la zona de contacto entre las dos partes y la dehiscencia. El inductor es un cecidómido univoltino, cumple el ciclo de vida de la primavera de un año a la primavera siguiente, sobrevive en invierno en el interior de la agalla como larva madura, sobre la planta.

Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say), a major destructive pest of host wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causes severe economic losses worldwide. While resistant wheat cultivars are used to mitigate Hessian fly damage, their extensive use can impose selection pressure on the insect population leading to the development of virulent biotypes and consequently, breakdown of plant resistance. Efforts are required to continually identify new sources of resistance that can be deployed and incorporated into breeding programs to alleviate the economic damage caused by this insect pest. In the current study, we evaluated the phenotypic response of 178 Triticum turgidum L. (tetraploid) wheat accessions originating from Asia and Europe to Hessian fly infestation and identified four new sources of resistance in the wheat lines. Further, we demonstrated that the Hessian fly resistance phenotype in these four tetraploid cultivars is temperature sensitive, with breakdown of resistance occurring at elevated temperature. One of the wheat lines showed potential tolerance to Hessian fly infestation at higher temperatures offering a source of more durable resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(J) Two Platygaster coloradensis endoparasitoid larvae dissected from a single Rhopalomyia larva in mid-March. Keywords: Aciurina; Cecidomyiidae; chamisa; ecosystem engineer; endogall; Ericameria; inquiline; rabbitbrush; Rhopalomyia EN Aciurina Cecidomyiidae chamisa ecosystem engineer endogall Ericameria inquiline rabbitbrush Rhopalomyia 1 6 6 05/03/23 20230501 NES 230501 Insect-induced plant galls are parasitic structures that display forms and pigments not seen in the normal development of the host plant (Redfern, [16]). While the exact timing of parasitoid arrival is unknown, our first observations of parasitoid larvae occur in mid-March before most insects are actively flying, suggesting that eggs are probably deposited in autumn (Figure 2). The total number of hypergall parasitoids per I Aciurina i gall averaged 14.7 wasps, with a record of 101 wasps, which indicates that a single I Rhopalomyia i larva can host multiple parasitoid larvae. [Extracted from the article]

• Genetic barcoding is a promising tool to identify cryptic cacao pollinators. • Dipteran pollinator diversity is higher than previously assumed. • Genetic barcoding can be used to trace individuals to their breeding habitats. • Banana pseudostems, understory weeds, decaying cacao pod husks, and cacao leaf litter are potential breeding habitats for cacao pollinators. Determining the main pollinators and the factors that control their abundance is a prerequisite for improving the production of many crops, including the globally important cash crop cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). Yet, the identity and the breeding habitats of cacao pollinators remain controversial since they are very difficult to identify morphologically due to their small size. It is known that tiny midges are involved in cacao pollination, but their diversity and ecology remain obscure. Here, we combined the collection of flower visitors, the use of emergence traps, and DNA barcoding to assess the diversity of dipteran cacao flower visitors and link them to five candidate breeding habitats in an agroforestry system in central Nicaragua. We detected 59 lineages of dipteran flower visitors, including Cecidomyiidae, Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, and Sciaridae, suggesting that dipteran cacao pollinator diversity may be much higher than previously assumed. Five lineages could be genetically traced back to specific breeding habitats. We conclude that the presented approach can be a promising tool to reliably delineate potential pollinator species and their breeding habitats, which can inform management strategies to promote cacao pollination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species that exhibit very peculiar ecological traits combined with limited dispersal ability pose a challenge to our understanding of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. This is especially true when they have managed to spread over long distances, overcome physical barriers, and colonize large areas. Climate and landscape changes, trophic web relations, as well as life history all interact to shape migration routes and present‐day species distributions and their population genetic structures. Here we analyzed the post‐glacial colonization of northern Europe by the gall midge Contarinia vincetoxici, which is a monophagous parasite on the perennial herb White swallowwort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria). This insect not only has a narrow feeding niche but also limited dispersal ability and an exceptionally long dormancy. Gall midge larvae (n = 329) were collected from 16 sites along its distribution range in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Using microsatellite loci and knowledge of the species and the regions' history, we investigated the role of landscape change, host plant distribution, insect population dynamics, and life history in shaping the population genetic structure of the insect. We devoted particular interest to the role of the insect's presumed poor dispersal capacity in combination with its exceptionally extended diapause. We found significant levels of local inbreeding (95% highest posterior density interval = 0.42–0.47), low‐level within‐population heterozygosity (mean HE = 0.45, range 0.20–0.61) with private alleles in all populations except two. We also found significant (p <.001) regional isolation‐by‐distance patterns, suggesting regularly recurring mainly short‐distance dispersal. According to approximate Bayesian computations, C. vincetoxici appears to have colonized the study area via wind‐aided flights from remote areas approximately 4600–700 years before present when the land has gradually risen above the sea level. Extremely long dormancy periods have allowed the species to "disperse in time", thereby aiding population persistence despite generally low census population sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paedogenesis is a unique reproductive mode shown only by some fungivorous gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and a coleopteran species in insects. Recently, we found various species of paedogenetic gall midges in their natural habitats, such as decayed trunks and branches on the forest floor in Japan. In this study, we established a continuous rearing technique for paedogenetic gall midges in the laboratory using Flammulina velutipes mycelia growing on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. In addition, the effects of temperature on the paedogenetic larval development were examined for Mycophila sp. A. The generation period of one paedogenetic cycle was 5.9 days at 24°C and a mother larva produced 15–16 young larvae on average. The developmental zero and thermal constant in the paedogenetic development were estimated to be 8.3°C and 92.7 degree-days, respectively, with the traditional linear method. The laboratory rearing method established in this study is useful for studying the developmental traits of paedogenetic gall midges as well as for examining the mechanism of reproduction mode shift from a paedogenetic to holometabolic life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of Lasioptera donacis Coutin feed on fungal communities lining galleries within the mesophyll of leaf sheaths of Arundo donax in an aggregative manner. It has been stated that L. donacis could have established a fundamental symbiotic relationship with one fungus, although the fungal composition of these communities remains unsettled. Using a culture-dependent approach and ITS sequencing, the present work characterizes and compares the fungal communities associated with L. donacis in Eurasia with the endophytes of A. donax in Texas where L. donacis is absent. The 65 cultivable isolates obtained from L. donacis fungal communities were sorted into 15 MOTUs, among which Fusarium and Sarocladium predominated. No particular MOTU was systematically recovered from these communities regardless of the sites. The 19 isolates obtained in Texas were sorted into 11 MOTUs. Sarocladium and Fusarium were commonly found in Texas and Eurasia. Our finding indicate that the communities were composed of a diverse assemblage of non-systemic endophytes, rather than an exclusive fungal symbiont. From ovipositors and ovarioles of L. donacis emerging from plants in France, we opportunistically isolated the endophyte Apiospora arundinis, which lies at the origin of further research pertaining to its role in the feeding and oviposition of L. donacis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dasineura oleae was considered a minor pest in olive orchards. However, in the last decade, outbreaks have been reported all over its distribution area. Little is known about D. oleae biological control strategies; therefore, investigations into the biology and ecology of D. oleae parasitoids are urgently needed. In this scenario, the present field study reported the flight period of D. oleae parasitoids, evaluating their relative abundance over other parasitoids living in olive orchards. Furthermore, it estimated the effect of local and landscape features on D. oleae parasitoids within the frame of the overall parasitoid community. Lastly, we aimed to provide useful insights into the effectiveness of parasitoids for D. oleae population management. Hymenopteran parasitoids were sampled using Malaise traps in six sampling sites in central Italy. Results showed that Platygaster demades was the most abundant D. oleae parasitoid. Its presence was associated with high rates of D. oleae parasitism. The abundance of this parasitoid was influenced by the abundance of seminatural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intralaminar galls of Meunieriella result from ground tissue proliferation in leaves of Avicennia schaueriana, a typical halophytic mangrove. We tested if the preferred sites of gall induction were the midribs and secondary veins (SV) at the basal leaf portion, where the galls were expected to be largest; and if the vascular system in galls and adjacent regions was altered to favour water supply in galls, thus increasing their growth.Gall induction sites and gall sizes were quantified according to leaf portions and regions. Anatomical and histometric analyses in vascular and ground tissues of galls and adjacent regions were compared to equivalent regions of non‐galled leaves.The galls were largest at basal sites on leaves, the midrib and SV. More galls occurred on the apical portion of the leaf, and on the leaf blade and secondary vein regions. Changes in shape and vascular system area, number and diameter of vessel elements were detected in both galls and adjacent regions. Fewer and smaller‐sized vessel elements were observed in regions proximal to the galls and inside them.Gall size is not related with preferred induction sites, which could be explained by factors such as thermal balance. Alterations in the vascular system indicate reduced hydraulic conductivity in the xylem in the proximal region and inside galls, leading to water leakage to gall parenchyma cells. This compensatory mechanism explains the expansion and proliferation of water storage and spongy parenchyma cells in the galls, explaining the higher growth in more vascularized regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caatinga vegetation is an important natural laboratory for the study of how plants and gall-inducing insects interact in highly variable and stressful moisture regimes. Despite this, only five gall inventories have been conducted and its richness of inducing insects and host plants has been little known. To contribute to our knowledge of galls from caatinga habitats, we registered and characterized the macroscopic aspects of the galls, then identifed the plant hosts and their associated fauna in two areas of caatinga in São Francisco River Natural Monument (MONA). Nineteen morphotypes of galls were recorded on 13 plant belonging to nine genera and seven host plant families. Of the total number of galls recorded, most occurred in the rainy season (n=13). Most of the galls are globoid (n=10), pilose (n=10), green (n=15), and isolated (n=12). Most of the gall-inducing insect species found belonged to Diptera (Cecidomyiidae). All morphotypes recorded in this study are the first ones recorded of galls and their host plants in MONA. We also recorded, for the first time, the occurrence of galls in the floral buds of Cnidoscolus obtusifolius Pohl ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), demonstrating the importance of conducting studies in areas not yet sampled in the Caatinga biome. It is expected that this study will stimulate future investigations, helping in the protection and conservation of this conservation area and consequently increasing our knowledge about its biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caldén is an arboreal species of tempered-semiarid environments and endemic to Argentina. The objective of the work was to study the morphology, development, and biology of the gall induced by a cecidomyiid on the caldén leaf. Leaves with and without galls were collected in fragments of peri-urban forests in Santa Rosa, La Pampa. The temporary histological sections were made by freehand and permanent histological sections with a microtome. The larvae, pupae, and adults of the inducer were examined. Gall formation alters the zone of the leaf base and the petiole, mainly the primary pulvinus. The gall is globoid, closed, yellow-brown when mature, with 1-3 larval chambers, and made up of two parts (upper and lower). The internal organization in tissue compartments is consistent with the general structure of the cecidomyiids gall. The distinctive features are the cork formation, the modification of the epidermal cells in sclereids in the contact zone between the two parts, and the dehiscence. The inducer is a univoltine cecidomyiid species that completes the life cycle in one year, from spring to spring, and it survives the winter season inside the gall as a mature larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the soybean gall midge, for the EU. This midge was first described in 2018 and is widespread in north‐western United States. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Larvae feed on and develop in soybean (Glycine max, Fabaceae), and possibly in two other Fabaceae, sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa). Feeding damage results in dark brown or black areas on the stems which become weak and can break near the soil; heavy infestations can cause plant death. R. maxima adults live only a few days and adult females lay eggs within 24 h after emergence. Larvae of R. maxima overwinter in the soil as third instars in silken cocoons. The main natural dispersal stage is the adult, which can fly. Freshly cut host plants for animal feed contaminated with larvae provide a potential pathway for entry into the EU. However, there is great uncertainty as to whether such plants are imported from USA states where R. maxima occurs. Climatic conditions and host availability in central‐western EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. Except for the uncertainty concerning the likelihood of entry, R. maxima satisfies the other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey and characterization of entomogenous galls and their associated fauna were carried out in six remnants of Caatinga in the Northern Depressão Sertaneja, in the states of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. We identified 41 gall morphotypes in 24 plant species, belonging to 12 botanical families. Fabaceae had 29.2% (n = 12) of the total number of gall morphotypes found. Leaves (61%) and stems (25%) were the most attacked organs. Most morphotypes are glabrous (75.6%), while only 24.4% exhibit trichomes. Most galls were induced by insects of the Cecidomyiidae family. The associated fauna comprised successors, cecidophages, tenants, and parasitoids. Sucessors were found in four morphotypes of galls and included spiders and four orders of insects: Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). The tenants were represented by Tanaostigmoides (Tanaostigmatidae). The parasitoids, found in 18 morphotypes (43.9%), were represented by six families of Hymenoptera. We recorded the occurrence of new types of galls in 12 species of host plants. These gall records are new references for the Northern Depressão Sertaneja in the studied states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Entomología is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AimWhole-genome duplication (polyploidy) can influence the biogeography and ecology of plants that differ in ploidy level (cytotype). Here, we address how two consequences of plant polyploidy (parapatry of cytotypes and altered species interactions) shape the biogeography of herbivorous insects.LocationWarm deserts of North America.TaxaGall midges (Asphondylia auripila group, Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that attack three parapatric cytotypes of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata, Zygophyllaceae).MethodsWe surveyed Asphondylia species diversity at 177 sites across a 2300-km extent. After noting a correspondence between the distributions of eight Asphondylia species and L. tridentata cytotypes, we fine-mapped Asphondylia species range limits with transects spanning cytotype contact zones. We then tested whether plant-insect interactions and/or abiotic factors explain this coincidence by (1) comparing attack rates and gall midge communities on alternative cytotypes in a narrow zone of sympatry and (2) using species distribution models (SDMs) to determine if climatically suitable habitat for each midge species extended beyond cytotype contact zones.ResultsThe range limits of 6/17 Asphondylia species (including two novel putative species confirmed with COI sequencing) perfectly coincided with the contact zone of diploid and tetraploid L. tridentata. One midge species was restricted to diploid host plants while five were restricted to tetraploid and hexaploid host plants. Where diploid and tetraploid L. tridentata are sympatric, cytotype-restricted midge species more frequently attacked their typical host and Asphondylia community structure differed markedly between cytotypes. SDMs predicted that distributions of cytotype-restricted midge species were not constrained by climatic conditions near cytotype contact zones.Main conclusionsContact zones between plant cytotypes are dispersal barriers for many Asphondylia species due to plant-insect interactions. The distribution of L. tridentata cytotypes therefore shapes herbivore species ranges and herbivore community structure across North American deserts. Our results demonstrate that polyploidy in plants can affect the biogeography of ecological communities.

Morphometry of cogongrass gall midges parasitoids from Cianjur District, West Java. Imperata cylindrica is a species of grass that causes economic losses. One of the insects reported to have the potential as a biological control agent for Imperata is the cogongrass gall midges, Orseolia javanica (Diptera: Cecidomyiiae). The development of the cogongrass gall midges is influenced by its natural enemies, not much is known about the parasitoids of this cogongrass gall midges. This study aims to identify and describe the morphological and morphometric characters of the cogongrass gall midges parasitoids. This research was conducted from July 2018 to June 2019. The gall cogongrass was collected from bunds rice fields in Cianjur District, West Java. Rearing the gall cogongrass and morphometric measurements was conducted at the Insect Biosystematics Laboratory, Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University. Three species of parasitoids were found in cogongrass gall midges, i.e. Platygaster orseoliae (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae), Aprostocetus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and Propicroscytus mirificus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). The results of morphometric measurements of the parasitoids cogongrass gall midge showed that the female body length of P. orseoliae is 0.65–0.98 mm, and the male body length is 0.69–1.07 mm. The body length of the female Aprostocetus sp. is 1.51–2.02 mm and male body length is 1.13–1.29 mm. Female body length of P. mirificus is 4.14–4.46 mm. Principal component analysis showed that the parasitoid P. orseoliae had no difference between males and females, Aprotocetus sp. females have a larger body size than males, and P. mirificus has the largest body size compared to other parasitoids.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the soybean gall midge, for the EU. This midge was first described in 2018 and is widespread in north‐western United States. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Larvae feed on and develop in soybean (Glycine max, Fabaceae), and possibly in two other Fabaceae, sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa). Feeding damage results in dark brown or black areas on the stems which become weak and can break near the soil; heavy infestations can cause plant death. R. maxima adults live only a few days and adult females lay eggs within 24 h after emergence. Larvae of R. maxima overwinter in the soil as third instars in silken cocoons. The main natural dispersal stage is the adult, which can fly. Freshly cut host plants for animal feed contaminated with larvae provide a potential pathway for entry into the EU. However, there is great uncertainty as to whether such plants are imported from USA states where R. maxima occurs. Climatic conditions and host availability in central‐western EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. Except for the uncertainty concerning the likelihood of entry, R. maxima satisfies the other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

First, I appreciate the contribution by M. S. Mani to gall-midge studies in Japan. He described two Japanese pestiferous Cecidomyiidae in response to the request from Japanese entomologists. His book Ecology of Plant Galls encouraged young Japanese students, who just started to study gall-inducing insects. Secondly, the importance of genetic data is emphasized in this paper to support morphological identification of the Cecidomyiidae of the Oriental region. Species identification is essential to establish methods of control measures against invasive Cecidomyiidae. Thirdly, I expect young Indian entomologists to challenge via ecological investigations benefiting from the convenience of plentifully available Cecidomyiidae and the galls they induce in the Indian subcontinent. Ecological data on tropical and subtropical Cecidomyiidae is highly necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contarinia brassicola Sinclair (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a recently described species found infesting canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L., Brassicaceae) in western Canada. There is concern that C. brassicola could have economic impacts on canola production. To learn about its biology, distribution, natural enemies, and potential impact, we conducted a prairie‐wide survey in western Canada and field studies using emergence cages and plant dissections between 2017 and 2019. Results of a transect‐based survey conducted in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba indicated that C. brassicola is widely distributed in western Canada. Two species of parasitic wasp were reared from C. brassicola larvae collected during the survey. We found that C. brassicola can have multiple generations per year, with the first peak of adult emergence occurring in early July with the onset of the susceptible crop stage. Adult midge and larvae may be found from June until early autumn. Midge larvae appear capable of extended diapause over multiple years. During this study, we found that C. brassicola damage was restricted to developing flowers. In the vast majority of fields surveyed, C. brassicola occurred in low population densities and was unlikely to impact yield in those fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The blueberry gall midge—Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—is an economically important insect pest of blueberry and cranberry in its native range (USA and Canada) as well as in other parts of the world. This pest was recently introduced and spread through other regions within North America as well as in Europe and Asia, e.g., Korea. To confirm that incipient speciation might have occurred in D. oxycoccana populations associated with blueberry and cranberry as previously reported, it is necessary that approaches on population genetics are performed with a larger sample size. To identify possible routes of worldwide introductions, it is important to trace the source and invasion process of the Korean population. Therefore, we compared the population genetic structure between D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry from USA and Korea. We found (1) a clear separation between the two host-associated D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry, which could be considered distinct species; (2) the occurrence of five genetically isolated D. oxycoccana subgroups from blueberry; (3) that multiple D. oxycoccana introductions likely occurred in Korea; and (4) that the dominant invasive D. oxycoccana population from Korea was likely introduced from a genotypically diverse population, which was likely introduced from an unsampled source population rather than directly from its native range. We compared the population genetic structure between populations of the blueberry gall midge—Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)—from blueberry and cranberry and determined the genetic relationships among geographical subgroups by genotyping 632 individuals from 31 different populations from their native USA regions (New Jersey, Michigan, and Georgia) and from invaded Korean regions using 12 microsatellite loci. Our population genetic analyses showed a clear separation between the two host-associated D. oxycoccana populations from blueberry and cranberry. Using data from only the blueberry-associated D. oxycoccana populations, we identified five genetically isolated subgroups. An analysis of the approximate Bayesian computation suggests that the invasive D. oxycoccana population from Korea appears to have been introduced from an unsampled source population rather than directly from its native range. Our findings will allow for an easier identification of the source of D. oxycoccana into newly invaded regions, as well as to determine their association with blueberry and cranberry, which based on our results can be considered as two distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of gamasid mite, Hoploseius oblongus Masan & Halliday, 2016, found in France, Denmark, Ukraine, and widely spread in Russia (from the Caucasus to the Arctic), is characterized. This species, known so far from the six finds in Slovakia and Poland, lives only in the hymenophore of living fruiting bodies of the bracket fungus Fomitopsis pinicola. A total of 502 living F. pinicola fruiting bodies from 62 localities were studied, and DNA barcoding of H. oblongus individuals from 28 localities in Europe, the Caucasus, and Western and Central Siberia was performed. At least 90% of the fruiting bodies of F. pinicola in the studied regions were inhabited by the H. oblongus mite. The association of F. pinicola with the H. oblongus mite was observed throughout the Western Palearctic, up to the Yenisei River valley in the east. Throughout the territory of the extensive range examined, H. oblongus is characterized by the low sequence variation of the mitochondrial COI gene BOLD fragment and is monomorphic in the nucleotide sequence of nuclear ribosomal repeat fragment. Low genetic diversity points to the relatively recent origin of the population of H. oblongus, possibly associated with the restoration of the forest belt of Northern Eurasia in the Holocene. The efficiency of H. oblongus dispersal is ensured by the phoresy of adult mites on ovipositing females of dark-winged fungus gnats (Sciaridae) in late summer and early autumn. More rarely, mites disperse on adult gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) from the tribe Brachineurini or on adults of some other small insect species from the order Diptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the materials which recently collected from west Azerbaijan province/Iran, two genus of gall midges including Giraudiella Rübsaamen, 1915 and Stenodiplosis Reuter, 1895 and seven species of them namely, Baldratia salicorniae Kieffer, 1897; Cystiphora taraxaci (Kieffer, 1888); Dasineura plicatrix (Loew, 1850); D. teucrii (Tavares, 1903); G. inclusa (Frauenfeld, 1862); Lasioptera flexuosa (Winnertz, 1853) and S. bromicola (Marikovskii & Agafonova, 1961) are reported for the first time for Iranian fauna. In addition, the species Halodiplosis araratica Mirumian, 1991 is a new record for west Azerbaijan province' fauna. Some photos of galls on their host plants and its distribution data are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present the first characterization of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) released from infested olive leaves. The gall midge Dasineura oleae is a specific pest of Olea europaea and endemic of the Mediterranean Basin, an area in which severe outbreaks currently occurred. Little is known about the damage caused by the pest and the relationship with its host. Since gall formation and larval feeding activity may lead to the release of specific plant volatile compounds, we investigated the volatile profiles emitted from infested plants compared with healthy plants under both laboratory and field conditions. Additionally, the volatiles emitted from mechanically damaged plants were considered. A blend of 12 volatiles was emitted from olive trees infested by D. oleae. Of these, β-copaene, β-ocimene, cosmene, unknown 1 and unknown 3 were found to be exclusively emitted in infested plants. The emission of germacrene-D, (E,E)-α-farnesene, and (Z,E)-α-farnesene, α-copaene, (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, (E)-β-guaiene and heptadecane significantly increased in infested trees. Linalool, β-copaen-4-α-ol, β-bourbonene, β-cubebene, β-elemene, β-copaene and δ-amorphene were found only in the field trial and showed differences depending on the level of infestation and the plant stage. (Z)-3-Hexenol, (E)-4-oxohen-2-enal, and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol, were exclusively emitted from the leaves after mechanical damage. In a field trial in Italy, we also demonstrated spring synchronization between adults of D. oleae and O. europaea trees. Analyses of morphoanatomical malformations of gall leaves showed that tissue alterations occur at the spongy parenchyma causing an increase of the leaf blade thickness. We speculate that tissue alterations may lead to HIPV release, in turn potentially attracting D. oleae natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of the sampling surveys in Biskra province during 2012 and 2019, fourteen distinct types of galls induced by insects were found on various host plants. They were belonging to three insect orders, four families and twelve genera. Most of the galls were induced by eight species of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), recently recorded from Biskra province, of which two species Houardiella salicornia Kieffer, 1912 and Gephyraulus moricandiae Sylven & Solinas, 1989 are first recorded from Algeria. The only known gall-inducing psyllid species Rhodochlanis salsolae (Lethierry, 1874) from Biskra (Algeria) as well as three gall-inducing aphid species associated with Pistacia atlantica were detected for the first time in Biskra province. These phytophagous species are associated with ten host plant species of which, the family Chenopodiaceae have the highest number of gall insects. Majority of the gallers are of Mediterranean origin, considered as economically indifferent species.