Insect galls in a typical cerrado of semi-urban region of Caldas Novas (Goias, Brazil)

Abstract

Galling insects are known to modify the plant tissues forming abnormal structures called galls. In this work, we record and characterize galls in a typical cerrado area in a semi-urban region of Caldas Novas, Goiás, Brazil. Fifty-six morphotypes of galls were recorded in 34 species and 21 plant families. The most frequent galling insects were Diptera (72%), Lepidoptera (16%), Hemiptera (8%), e Thysanoptera (4%). Insect parasitoids of order Hymenoptera were recorded in nine morphotypes (16.1%). The plant families with higher gall richness were Fabaceae (14), Vochysiaceae (8) e Malpighiaceae (5). These results indicate a great diversity of galling species, when compared to other disturbed areas.