Galhas induzidas por artrópodes em Floresta Estacional Semidecidual no Sul do Brasil

Abstract

In this study, we describe the richness of galls induced by arthropods in an area of the Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We found 71 species of galling arthropod, most of them Cecidomyiidae (Diptera), associated with 51 host plants species from 27 families. Asteraceae was the most representative host family (18 morphotypes). Most galls were induced in stems (56%) and the most common shape was fusiform (43.6%). Nineteen new gall morphotypes were registered for Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, showing the importance of this type of study for gallers in underexplored regions, such as Southern Brazil.