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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).

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ABSTRACT Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a parasitoid involved in the biological control of several insects, including blow flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of economic importance. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological aspects of the immature stages of N. vitripennis and to record the postembryonic development time, using pupae of Chrysomya putoria (Wiedeman, 1830) as host. The experiment was conducted in a climatic chamber at 27°C/ day and 25°C/ night, with 60 ± 10% relative humidity and 14h photophase. Three experiment were conducted, each one with different host-parasitoid exposure times, of 12 hours, 16 hours and 24 hours respectively. In each experiment, the host:parasitoid relation applied was three host pupae of C. putoria to one parasitoid female. The experiment lasted 17 days, and it was used nine pupae per day totalizing 153 host pupae. The parasitoidism rate was 16.3% (12h), 40.5% (16h) and 94.1% (24h), respectively. The immature development duration of N. vitripennis with 16 and 24 hours of exposure, was as follows: egg stage (1st day), larvae (2nd to 6th day), prepupae (7th day), pupae (from 8th to 13th day) and pharate adult (14th day). The emergence of the adult parasitoids occurred on the 16th and 15th day with the exposure times of 16 and 24 hours, respectively. The exposure period of 24 hours was the ideal to observe the development time and to characterize the immature of N. vitripennis when compared to the 16 and 12 hours.

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ABSTRACT The Tijuca National Park comprises the world's largest urban forest. It has a rich flora, with around 1,550 plant species. For the first time, the insect galls of this area were investigated. We carried out 12 monthly collections from January to December/2009. Samples of host plants were pressed and identified. Galls were photographed and characterized according to their external morphology and number of chambers. Gall-inducing insects and secondary inhabitants were obtained from gall dissecation as well as from rearing in laboratory. Data on origin and geographic distribution of plant species were retrieved from Flora e Funga do Brasil website. We found 72 gall morphotypes on 43 plant species (36 genera, and 23 families). Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Salicaeae and Melastomataceae were the botanical families with the highest gall richness. Psychotria cf. bahiensis DC. (Rubiaceae) and Serjania sp. (Sapindaceae) highlighted as super host plant species. Five host plants are endemic to Brazil; they shelters eight gall morphotypes. Due to the high specificity of the gall-inducing insects, we considered them co-endemic, Leaf galls were the most frequent. Gall-inducers were represented mainly by Cecidomyiidae. Galls of Tijuca National Park followed the patterns already known from Brazil, but it richness is relatively low when compared to other areas of the Atlantic forest.

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An inventory of insect galls of Serra da Bodoquena (MS, Midwestern Brazil) was carried out in an area of semideciduous seasonal forest situated in the Califórnia Farm. Three field works were done in August/2011, December/2011 and April/2012, when the local vegetation was examined during 40 hours per expedition. Fifty-eight gall morphotypes were found on 40 host plants, 38 of them native. The host plants are distributed in 18 families. The native plants include eight endemic species in Brazil, which together totaled 14 gall morphotypes. Zanthoxylum L. sp. (Rutaceae), an endemic genus in Brazil, hosts one gall morphotype. The non endemic native plants totaled 26 gall morphotypes. Ten new host plants are recorded for the first time in Brazil. The medium number of gall morphotypes per plant species was 1.45. Salicaceae, Bignoniaceae, and Asteraceae presented the highest number of galled species and the greatest gall richness. Leaves were the most frequent galled plant organ and there was a predominance of globoid galls. Diptera (Cecidomyiidae) were the most frequent gallers, but Hemipteran and Thysanopteran galls were also found. The associated fauna was composed of inquilines (Diptera: Muscomorpha and Cecidomyiidae - Trotteria sp., and Thysanoptera), successors (Psocoptera), and parasitoids (Hymenoptera).

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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.

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Abstract An insect gall inventory was carried out in two reserves of the Peruvian Amazon, Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve and Quistococha Regional Reserve, both situated in Iquitos, northeastern Peru. Four vegetation types were surveyed between December, 2021 and December, 2022: terra firme forest, white-sand wet forest, and white-sand dry forest in Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, and palm swamp forest in Quistococha Regional Reserve. Overall, we found 262 gall morphotypes, distributed across 75 host species representing 66 plant genera and 30 families. Fabaceae was the plant family with the greatest number of gall morphotypes (n = 48), followed by Calophyllaceae (n = 21) and Euphorbiaceae (n = 20). The plant genera that supported the highest diversity of galls were Caraipa (n = 17), Eschweilera (n = 16), Tapirira (n = 16), Micrandra (n = 14), and Iryanthera (n = 10). The plant species Tapirira guianensis (n = 16), Caraipa utilis (n = 14), Micrandra elata (n = 14), Eschweilera coriacea (n = 11), and Sloanea parvifructa (n = 10) exhibited the highest richness of galls. Among the host plants, C. utilis stands alone as the only species noted as both endemic to the Amazonian region and bearing a Vulnerable (VU) conservation status. The leaves were the most attacked organs (90% of all galls). Most morphotypes are glabrous (89%), green (67%), globoid (53%), and one-chambered (91%). We found galling insects belonging to the orders Diptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. The galling insects of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) were the most common, inducing 22% of the gall morphotypes. In addition to the gallers, we also observed the presence of successors, cecidophages, and parasitoids. Among the sampled vegetation types, the terra firme forest presented the highest richness of gall morphotypes and host plant species. This is the first systematic inventory of insect galls in this part of the Peruvian Amazon.

Resumo Um inventário de galhas de insetos foi realizado em duas reservas da Amazônia peruana, Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana e Reserva Regional Quistococha, ambas situadas em Iquitos, nordeste do Peru. Quatro tipos de vegetação foram pesquisados entre dezembro de 2021 e dezembro de 2022: floresta de terra firme, floresta úmida de areia branca e floresta seca de areia branca na Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo-Mishana, e floresta de pântano de palmeiras na Reserva Regional Quistococha. No total, encontramos 262 morfotipos de galhas, distribuídos em 75 espécies hospedeiras representando 66 gêneros de plantas e 30 famílias. Fabaceae foi a família de plantas com o maior número de morfotipos de galhas (n = 48), seguida por Calophyllaceae (n = 21) e Euphorbiaceae (n = 20). Os gêneros de plantas que apresentaram a maior diversidade de galhas foram Caraipa (n = 17), Eschweilera (n = 16), Tapirira (n = 16), Micrandra (n = 14) e Iryanthera (n = 10). As espécies de plantas Tapirira guianensis (n = 16), Caraipa utilis (n = 14), Micrandra elata (n = 14), Eschweilera coriacea (n = 11) e Sloanea parvifructa (n = 10) apresentaram a maior riqueza de galhas. Dentre as plantas hospedeiras, C. utilis destaca-se como a única espécie listada como endêmica da região amazônica e com um status de conservação Vulnerável (VU). As folhas foram os órgãos mais atacados (90% de todas as galhas). A maioria dos morfotipos é glabra (89%), verde (67%), globoide (53%) e possui apenas uma câmara interna (91%). Encontramos insetos galhadores pertencentes às ordens Diptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera e Hemiptera. Os insetos galhadores da família Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) foram os mais comuns, induzindo 22% dos morfotipos de galhas. Além dos galhadores, também observamos a presença de sucessores, cecidófagos e parasitoides. Entre os tipos de vegetação amostrados, a floresta de terra firme apresentou a maior riqueza de morfotipos de galhas e espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Este é o primeiro inventário sistemático de galhas de insetos nesta região da Amazônia peruana.

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ABSTRACT The SISBIOTA-BRASIL was a three-year multimillion-dollar research program of the Brazilian government to document plants and animals in endangered/understudied areas and biomes in Brazil. Distributional patterns and the historical events that generated them are extensively unknown regarding Brazilian fauna and flora. This deficiency hinders the development of conservation policies and the understanding of evolutionary processes. Conservation decisions depend on precise knowledge of the taxonomy and geographic distribution of species. Given such a premise, we proposed to research the diversity of Diptera of the Brazilian western arc of Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rondônia. Three important biomes of the South American continent characterize these Brazilian states: Amazon forest, Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), and Pantanal. Besides their ecological relevance, these biomes historically lack intensive entomological surveys. Therefore, they are much underrepresented in the Brazilian natural history collections and in the scientific literature, which is further aggravated by the fact that these areas are being exponentially and rapidly converted to commercial lands. Our project involved over 90 collaborators from 24 different Brazilian institutions and one from Colombia among researchers, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and technicians. We processed and analyzed nearly 300,000 specimens from ~60 families of Diptera collected with a large variety of methods in the sampled areas. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the genera and species diversity of 41 families treated. Our results point to a total of 2,130 species and 514 genera compiled and identified for the three states altogether, with an increase of 41% and 29% in the numbers of species and genera known for the three states combined, respectively. Overall, the 10 most species-rich families were Tachinidae, Cecidomyiidae, Tabanidae, Psychodidae, Sarcophagidae, Stratiomyidae, Bombyliidae, Syrphidae, Tephritidae, and Asilidae. The 10 most diverse in the number of genera were Tachinidae, Stratiomyidae, Asilidae, Mycetophilidae, Syrphidae, Tabanidae, Muscidae, Dolichopodidae, Sarcophagidae, and Chloropidae. So far, 111 scientific papers were published regarding taxonomic, phylogenetic, and biogeographical aspects of the studied families, with the description of 101 new species and three new genera. We expect that additional publications will result from this investigation because several specimens are now curated and being researched by specialists.

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Two new species of Asphondylia inducing galls on Asteraceae are described, A. gaucha from the state of Rio Grande do Sul and A. mineira from the state of Minas Gerais. Their host plants are Vernonanthura discolor (Sprengel) H. Rob., and V. polyanthes (Sprengel) Vega & Dematteis, respectively, both native to Brazil. Illustrations of relevant morphological characters are provided. The new species are compared with congeneric Neotropical species. The types are deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

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ABSTRACT Bruggmannia capixaba, sp. n., Bruggmannia gaucha, sp. n., and Bruggmannia marambaiensis sp. n. are described and illustrated. All species were collected in Atlantic forest areas. They induce galls on Guapira (Nyctaginaceae), a plant genus native to Brazil, the first on G. pernambucensis and the others on G. opposita. Furthermore, the male and larva of Bruggmannia monteiroi are described for the first time, based on specimens collected in the type locality.

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Abstract 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.

Resumo Realizou-se um levantamento e caracterização de galhas entomógenas e sua fauna associada em seis remanescentes de Caatinga presentes na Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional nos estados da Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará. Identificamos 41 morfotipos de galhas em 24 espécies de plantas, pertencentes a 12 famílias botânicas. Fabaceae abrigou 29,2% (n = 12) do total de morfotipos de galhas encontrados. As folhas (61%) e os caules (25%) foram os órgãos mais atacados. A maioria dos morfotipos é glabra (75,6%), enquanto apenas 24,4% exibiram tricomas. As galhas, em sua maioria, foram induzidas por insetos da família Cecidomyiidae. A fauna associada compreendeu sucessores, fungívoros, inquilinos e parasitoides. Os primeiros foram encontrados em quatro morfotipos de galhas, estando representados por aranhas e quatro ordens de insetos: Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera (Formicidae). Os inquilinos foram representados por Tanaostigmoides Ashmead, 1896 (Tanaostigmatidae). Já os parasitoides, encontrados em 18 morfotipos de galhas (43,9%), foram representados por seis famílias de Hymenoptera. Registramos a ocorrência de novos tipos de galhas em 12 espécies de plantas hospedeiras. Os registros de galhas também são novas referências para a Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional nos estados estudados.

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ABSTRACT Asphondylia hancorniae, sp. n. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) is described and illustrated. This species was collected in Atlantic Forest and Caatinga domains in Bahia State (Northeastern Brazil). It induces galls on fruits of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), a plant native to Brazil. Asphondylia hancorniae is compared to other congeneric species which induce galls on Apocynaceae.

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The present study aimed to increase knowledge about the diversity and factors that determine the distribution of galling insects in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI), Southeast, Brazil. For this, collections were performed in April, August and November 2015 and March 2016. Seventy gall morphotypes were found in 12 families, 32 genera and 61 species of host plants. The richness of galls did not vary with altitude, but increased with the richness of plants. The families and genera of plants with greater species richness harbored a greater number of galling insects. The number of gall morphotypes was higher in the autumn than in the other seasons. The spatial distribution of galling insects was better explained by factors such as floristic richness and species composition than by ecological effects, represented here by altitude. Regarding seasonality, the results indicate that the way resources are temporarily distributed to galling insects depends on factors such as the active growth of host plants, making some periods of the year more conducive to the development of galls.(AU)

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Abstract Cerciplanus maricaensis, a new species of gall midge (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) that induces galls on leaves of Ouratea cuspidata (A.St.-Hil.) Engl. (Ochnaceae) is described in the larval, pupal and adult stages (of both sexes), illustrated and compared with the other congeneric species. The host plant is endemic to Brazil and known only from the Atlantic Forest. A key to segregate them is presented. Data on the geographical distribution of Cerciplanus maricaensis based on gall records retrieved from the literature are given.

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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.(AU)

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ABSTRACT Asphondylia maricensis Maia & Couri, 1992 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) was described based on female and larva of third instar. Through fieldworks carried on the type locality, Maricá (RJ, Brazil) and rearing in laboratory, pupal exuvia was obtained and described for the first time. Its morphology indicates that the species belongs to Bruggmanniella Tavares, 1909. Therefore, a new combination is proposed, Bruggmanniella maricensis (Maia & Couri, 1992).

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In a general way, galling insects can induce only one gall morphotype on the host plant species. However, some taxa of galling insects such as Eriococcidae can induce sexually dimorphic galls on the same host. In the present study, Lopesia mataybae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) induced two gall morphotypes on the leaflets of Matayba guianensis (Sapindaceae), a rare evidence of sexual dimorphism in galls induced by Cecidomyiidae. We investigated the adult emergence of galling insects and the morphological, histological, and histochemical attributes of the gall morphotypes. Both gall morphotypes showed the galling insect in the larval or pupal stage, and the insect adult emergence from different morphotypes was sexually distinct. Galls occupied by females (Globoid) were significantly larger (average height = 4.67 mm. S = 0.43/average width = 4.59 mm. S = 0.70) than galls occupied by males (cylindrical) (average height = 2.95 mm. S = 0.46/average width = 2.34 mm. S = 0.45). Both gall types were composed of elongated cells in the inner cortex and rounded cells in the outer cortex of the vessel-like structure. The globoid galls showed 42 cell layers (14 of them cylindrical, S = 3.86; 28 rounded, S = 5.89) and cylindrical galls showed 29 layers. There were no differences between morphotypes in the histochemical compounds detected. We have shown here significant morphological and histological differences between male and female galls possibly due to the different nutritional requirements of Lopesia mataybae sexes. Therefore, the expression of sexual dimorphism in gall morphotypes may be associated with developmental pathway differentiation between the sexes of L. mataybae.

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A literature compilation was done to gather information about Cecidomyiidae galls on Clusiaceae in Brazil. Botanical names were verified in the site "Flora do Brasil" as well as data on plant distribution and origin. Two herbaria were visited in order to examine galled specimens of Clusiaceae and retrieve new locality records. Thirteen gall morphotypes have been recorded on three genera (Clusia, Garcinia, and Tovomita) and eight species. Clusia showed the greatest number of galled species. Tovomita brevistaminea is the super host species. Only three gallers, Parazalepidota clusiae, Clusiamyia granulosa and C. nitida, were identified at species level, which highlights how the taxonomy of the gall midges is still poorly known. The examination of galled exsiccates resulted in the expansion of their distribution area. The low gall richness as well as the low number of galled plants on Clusiaceae can be related to the presence of resinous sticky sap and waxy cuticle. The known occurrence of gallers associated with Clusiaceae is restricted to the Atlantic Forest as their host plants. The gallers distribution is less wide than that of the host plants, indicating that their geographic limits can be further extended.

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Three new species of Asphondylia are described from Minas Gerais (Brazil): Asphondylia ingaiensis, A. rufae and A. zeyheriae.They induce galls on Moquiniastrum barrosoae (Asteraceae), Bauhinia rufa (Fabaceae), and Zeyheria montana (Bignoniaceae), respectively, all native to Brazil, being the last endemic. Illustrations of relevant morphological characters are provided. The new species are compared with congeneric Neotropical species. Types are deposited in the Museu Nacional, Entomological Collection.(AU)

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A new gall midge genus, Distinctamyiagen. nov., and a new species Distinctamyia matogrossensissp. nov. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) are herein described and illustrated (larvae, pupal exuviae, male and female). The new species induces conical, green, hairy and one chambered galls on leaf and bud of Simarouba amara Aubl. (Simaroubaceae). Gall-inducer specimens, samples of gall and host plant were collected at Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, in the state of Mato Grosso (Midwestern Brazil).(AU)

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In the present study we described the structure of a trophic network composed by gall-midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their host plants in the Restinga of Barra de Maricá (Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Species data were retrieved from literature and different topological descriptors (links per species, connectance, and modularity of interactions) were used. All gall-midge species were monophages, with connectance of 2.8% of the 2,016 possible interactions. The network of host plants and gall midges had low number of links per species and high modularity, which indicates high specificity and specialization of plant-galling interactions in the area. This is the first characterization of a trophic network with good taxonomic resolution for the Neotropical gall midges.(AU)

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