Insect galls of the Parque Estadual Paulo César Vinha (Guarapari, ES, Brazil)

Abstract

Insect galls of the Parque Estadual Paulo César Vinha (Guarapari, ES, Brazil). Thirty-eigth morphotypes of insect galls were found on 21 plant species (19 genera and 17 families) in the Parque Estadual Paulo César Vinha (Guaparari, ES). The majority of the galls occurred on the leaves (84%). Stem (13%) and bud galls (3%) were also found. One-chambered galls were the most frequent (52%), as well as glabrous ones (89%). Most part of them (84%) was induced by Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Hemipteran galls were also found (16%). Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) were obtained from 12 gall morphotypes, being represented by Eurytomidae, Eulophidae, Platygasteridae, Pteromalidae, and Torymidae. Inquilines were found in three morphotypes, being represented by Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera. Predaceous ants (Formicidae, Hymenoptera) were obtained from a single morphotype. Acarii and Psocoptera were found as sucessores in three morphotypes. Nyctaginaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae, Lauraceae, and Smilaceae were the richest plant families in number of galls. Five new records of host plants are present: Emmotum nitens (Icacinaceae), Andira nitida (Fabaceae), Chaetocarpus myrsinites (Euphorbiaceae), Salzmania nitida DC. (Rubiaceae), and Epidendrum denticulatum (Orchidaceae). Three new records of insect galls on three plant species - Clusia hilariana (Clusiaceae), Guapira pernambuscensis (Nyctaginaceae), and Ouratea cuspidata (Ochnaceae) are present. All records are new for the Espírito Santo State.