Abstract Galls are atypical plant growths that provide nourishment, shelter, and protection to the inducer or its progeny. Fruit and flowers are poorly represented as host organs for galling insects. Our main question was: Do morphological traits, anatomical features and physiological characteristics differ between galled and healthy fruits of Parkinsonia praecox? Galled and healthy fruits of P. praecox were characterized in terms of morphological traits (length, diameter, thickness, water and biomass content); anatomical features (trichomes, stomatal and pavement cells), and physiological characteristics (stomatal conductance, gs). We found that galled fruits were induced by Asphondylia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Thickness, diameter, and water content values of galled fruits were greater compared to healthy fruits. Length, biomass, and pavement cells density of healthy fruits were higher. The density of trichomes on galled fruits was higher, while the stomatal density and pavement cell size were not statistically different between galled and healthy fruits. Furthermore, the gs rates of galled fruits were almost 3 times higher than in healthy fruits. Incidence of galls on fruits on P. praecox modified the original morphology and anatomy of healthy fruits that stimulate physiological mechanisms to increase the water continuum from the host plant to the gall.

Resumen Las agallas son estructuras complejas de las plantas que presentan crecimiento anormal y proveen alimento, refugio y protección al organismo inductor. Flores y frutos están escasamente reportados como órganos hospederos. Nuestra pregunta central fue: ¿los atributos morfológicos, anatómicos y fisiológicos, difieren entre frutos con agallas y sanos de Parkinsonia praecox? Los frutos con agallas y sanos fueron caracterizados en términos de atributos: morfológicos (longitud, diámetro, grosor, contenido de agua y biomasa); anatómicos (tricomas, estomas y células del pavimento) y fisiológicos (conductancia estomática, gs). Encontramos que los frutos con agallas son inducidos por Asphondylia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). El grosor, diámetro y contenido de agua fue mayor en frutos con agallas. La longitud, biomasa y densidad de células del pavimento fue mayor en frutos sanos. La densidad de tricomas en frutos con agallas fue mayor, pero la densidad de estomas y el tamaño de las células del pavimento no presentaron diferencias. La gs de los frutos con agallas fue 3 veces mayor que en los sanos. La incidencia de agallas en frutos de P. praecox modifica la morfología y anatomía original de éstos, estimulando mecanismos fisiológicos que incrementan el continuo de agua de la planta hospedera hacia la agalla.

RESUMO As variações topográficas encontradas nas florestas de terra firme são acompanhadas por fortes mudanças no conteúdo de argila e concentração de nutrientes do solo, criando, portanto, diferentes condições hídricas e nutricionais para plantas e as comunidades de herbívoros associadas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a riqueza e composição de espécies de insetos galhadores e suas plantas hospedeiras ao longo de um gradiente topográfico com habitats que diferem quanto ao estresse hídrico e nutricional. Dezenove parcelas de 250 x 3 m foram estabelecidos aleatoriamente em habitats de vertente, platô, transição platô-vertente e baixio, claramente distintos em áreas de terra firme. Todas as dicotiledôneas com 1 a 3 metros de altura foram examinadas quanto à presença de galhas de insetos. As galhas encontradas foram coletadas e insetos galhadores foram classificados em morfoespécies. A riqueza de galhadores e de plantas hospedeiras diferiram significativamente entre os habitats estudados, e como esperado, foi maior no habitat de vertente. As áreas mais úmidas (baixios) apresentaram menor riqueza de plantas hospedeiras no sub-bosque e, conseqüentemente, um número menor de espécies de galhadores. Os resultados das análises de PERMANOVA e PERMDISP demonstraram que a composição da espécie de insetos galhadores variou significativamente entre as áreas de floresta de terra firme. No entanto, essas diferenças estruturais na composição das espécies podem ser devidas à dispersão desigual da variabilidade entre os habitats. Nossos dados sugerem que a heterogeneidade espacial, tal como o mosaico de status hídrico e nutricional do solo associado às condições topográficas, pode afetar plantas hospedeiras e insetos galhadores associados.

ABSTRACT Topographic gradients in terra firme forests are associated with pronounced changes in soil texture, soil nutrients and distance to the water-table, thereby creating different hydric and nutritional conditions for plants and their associated herbivore community. The aim of this study was to investigate galling species and host plant richness and gall species composition across topographic habitats differing in nutrient and water stress in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Nineteen 250 x 3 m plots were randomly sampled in the valley, slope, plateau-slope transition, and plateau habitats in terra firme forests. All individual dicotyledonous plants 1 to 3 meters high were examined for the presence of insect galls. Galling species and host plant richness differed significantly among the studied habitats and were higher in slope habitats (drier habitats), as expected. More humid areas (valleys) showed the lowest richness of galling species, and a lower number of understory host plants. PERMANOVA and PERMDISP results demonstrated that the gall species composition differed significantly in the valley, slope, plateau-slope transition, and plateau areas. However, these structural differences in species composition could be due to unequal dispersion of variability among forest habitats. Our data suggested that spatial heterogeneity, such as a mosaic of local water status and nutrient availability resulting from the topographic conditions, can affect host plants and their associated galling insects.

ABSTRACT Previous ecological studies of dioecious plant species have found that female plants preferentially occur at lower altitudes where there are typically better nutritional conditions, while male plants often occur in less favorable sites. We compared the ecophysiological performance of male and female plants in three populations of the dioecious Baccharis concinna, an endemic species of rupestrian grasslands of Serra do Cipó, in southeastern Brazil. We hypothesized that physiological differences between the sexes would explain the distribution patterns of the populations. Analyses of the tissue content of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and sodium (Na), and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, were used to assess nutritional status and water use efficiency (WUE) in plant leaves, stems and roots of male and female plants in three populations located along an elevational gradient. Differences among populations were related to decreased nutrient levels and WUE at higher elevations, but an effect of sex was found only for %C, with male plants having slightly higher values. In conclusion, the sex ratios in the studied populations of B. concinna could not be attributed to differences in nutrient acquisition and WUE.

Resumo A distribuição geográfica das leishmanioses, sem dúvida, tem se expandido, e agora está sendo relatada em áreas previamente consideradas como não endêmicas. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar se existe alguma variação na estrutura e na composição das comunidades de flebotomíneos ao longo de um gradiente ambiental – em habitats classificados como mesicos e xericos, em diferentes períodos climáticos (chuva e seca). Além disso, testamos se havia diferenças na razão sexual entre ambientes mais umidos e mais secos. Um total de 535 espécimes de flebotomíneos pertencentes a 18 espécies foram registradas. Riqueza, abundância e composição de espécies foram significativamente maiores nos habitats xericos (Floresta semidecidual) em comparação com os habitats mesicos (Floresta Ciliar). Revelamos diferenças específicas entre os habitats, nas assembleias de flebotomíneos, uma vez que a composição da comunidade muda com a distância geográfica entre os pontos de amostragem. Estes resultados levaram à conclusão de que as condições ambientais disponíveis para cada espécie de fletomonineo varia dentro do habitat, tendo em conta o grau de umidade na floresta assim como a estação climatica (seca-chuva). O presente estudo dá uma contribuição valiosa para o conhecimento da fauna de flebotomíneos, no bioma Mata Atlântica.

Abstract The geographical distribution of leishmaniasis has undoubtedly expanded, and is now being reported to be in areas that were previously non-endemic. This study therefore aimed to investigate whether there is any variation in the structure and in the composition of phlebotomine communities along an environmental gradient - from a mesic to a xeric environment, across different climatic periods (rainy and dry seasons). Furthermore, we test whether there were differences in sex ratio of sand flies between wet and dry environments. A total of 535 specimens of sand flies belonging to 18 species were recorded. Richness, abundance, and composition of species were significatively higher in the xeric environment (semidecidual Forest) compared to the mesic environment (Riparina Forest). We unveiled site specific differences in sand fly collections since the community composition changes with the geographic distance among the sampling points. These results led to the conclusion that for sand flies species, the environmental conditions available for each species could be different within the habitat taking into account the degree of humidity in the forest as well as the climatic season (dry or wet). The present study gives a valuable contribution to the knowledge of sand flies, as a group of insects, from the Atlantic Forest biome.

Ecophysiological responses of plants are useful for monitoring the success of ecological restoration projects that target species conservation. In this study we evaluated the ecophysiological traits of individuals of Chamaecrista semaphora from a natural population and from a site under restoration. Water potential and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were measured both in adult and young plants of the two populations. No difference in water potential was found between sites, but individuals in the restored site had higher water potential at predawn. Adults in the natural site presented lower daily values of potential quantum yield, indicating the occurrence of photoinhibition. Individuals in the restored site also presented higher maximum relative electron transport rate (ETRMAX). No difference was found in leaf carbon isotope discrimination values (σ13C) between plants growing in restored and natural sites, suggesting similar water use efficiency. These results indicate that C. semaphora individuals in the restored site had similar or better photosynthetic and water economy performances than individuals at the natural site. Methodologies traditionally employed to assess stress response of plants, such as chlorophyll a fluorescence and procedures used to evaluate the efficiency of water use, allowed us to verify the success of restoration procedures using an endangered species.

ABSTRACTSyagrus glaucescens is an endemic palm found in the rupestrian grasslands of the Espinhaço Mountains in southeastern Brazil. It is highly associated with quartzitic soils and exhibits strong intra-specific morphological variation in the different areas where it occurs. Allometric traits were used to verify whether there are any significant differences in the morphological traits between populations of this species located in two distinct areas. In the region of the Serra do Cipó individuals exhibit decumbent stems whereas on the Diamantina Plateau stems are straight and perpendicular to the ground. Soil quality was related to plant morphological traits to test the hypothesis that allometric variation is influenced by soil nutritional differences. Stem shape and size differed significantly among individuals inhabiting the two different regions: individuals in Serra do Cipó were shorter and had fewer leaves compared to individuals found in the Diamantina Plateau. Water retention capacity and nutrient absorption of the soils of the two sites were markedly different. In Serra do Cipó the soils were more acid, with higher aluminum saturation and lower sand content compared to the soils in Diamantina. These traits correlated with stem shape and indicate that soil acidity and aluminum saturation influence the architecture of S. glaucescens.

ABSTRACTWe examined the distribution of Coccoloba cereifera,a tropical endemic species that occurs in a small area in the Espinhaço mountain range, southeastern Brazil. It is hypothesized that its narrow distribution is strongly related to the spatially scattered distribution of sandfields. However, this soil type extends far beyond the small region where C. cereifera is currently found, indicating that other factors might be involved in the distribution of this species. Coccoloba cereifera also displays all traits of a relict population in a microrefugium. As a result, we were encouraged to explore other factors potentially related to the distribution of the species. In an attempt to aid in the understanding of the processes and mechanisms that lead C. cereiferato present the narrow actual distribution, we applied two distribution modelling approaches to investigate the potential distribution of the species beyond the small known distribution area. The distribution seems to be strongly associated with sandy patches/grasslands formed among rocky outcrops and is limited by some topoclimatic and/or topographic features. Some of them related to the existence of a microrefugium, a fact also suggested by the pattern of distribution of the species in the past. From the management point of view, the existence of a microrefugium in this area calls for changes in conservation efforts and priorities.

ABSTRACTMistletoes obtain nutrients and water from their hosts, with varying effects among those hosts. We assessed the factors that influence the colonization of the mistletoe Struthanthus flexicaulis on Baccharis dracunculifolia and the subsequent effects on host performance. We evaluated the incidence of S. flexicaulis according to size (height classes) and architecture of the host as well as its effects on various physiological parameters of the host. Furthermore, we assessed the occurrence of insect galls induced by Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae(Psyllidae), including the number of leaves infected, and the mortality of infected and non-infected branches. Taller hosts had a higher abundance of mistletoes (60%, p> 0.05). Physiological parameters of hosts were not affected by parasitism, although galling occurred more often (p <0.05) and leaf loss increased (p>0.05) on infected branches. Taller individuals are more colonized by mistletoes and more architecturally complex hosts support a greater number of mistletoes. Mistletoe causes a top-down effect on host-associated organisms on parasitized branches. Mistletoes had a strong top-downeffect on B. dracunculifolia due to a reduction in the number of leaves on parasitized branches and the replacement of the bush crown, as well as an increased incidence of insect galls. Furthermore, the occurrence of a heavy parasite load increased the mortality rate of the host branches.

Os Campos rupestres têm destaque no cenário mundial da conservação por sua enorme riqueza em espécies e alta taxa de endemismo. É considerado um ecossistema ameaçado devido à intensa e progressiva descaracterização que vêm sofrendo pela ação antrópica. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os padrões fenológicos reprodutivos e vegetativos em seis espécies arbustivas endêmicas dos campos rupestres da Cadeia do Espinhaço, simpátricas na Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, e testar a relação entre suas fenofases e a estacionalidade climática. Esperamos que as espécies tenham suas fenofases fortemente relacionadas às variações entre as estações seca e úmida. As observações fenológicas foram conduzidas mensalmente nas fenofases reprodutivas (flor, fruto e dispersão) e vegetativas (queda de folhas e brotamento). De acordo com a combinação dos padrões fenológicos reprodutivos, vegetativos e sazonalidade, foi possivel distinguir quatro estratégias fenológicas para as seis espécies avaliadas. Dessa forma, o presente estudo mostrou uma grande diversidade de padrões fenológicos, mesmo considerando o pequeno número de espécies amostradas. Por outro lado, em todas as espécies as fenofases reprodutivas apresentaram um padrão significativamente sazonal, com alta concentração de espécies reproduzindo em uma dada estação do ano, sugerindo uma importância destacada da sazonalidade do clima na definição dos padrões fenológicos em campos rupestres.

The Brazilian "campos rupestres" (high-altitude grasslands) are very important on the world conservation scenario because of high species richness and endemism. These grasslands are regarded as threatened ecosystems due to intense, on-going disruption by man's activities. The aim of this study was to describe the reproductive and vegetative phenological patterns of six shrub species endemic to these grasslands in the Espinhaço Range, sympatric in Serra do Cipó, MG. We tested the relationship between species phenophases and local climate seasonality. We expect that the species phenophases are strongly correlated with variations of the dry and wet seasons. Observations were conducted monthly on reproductive (flowering, fruit production and dispersal) and vegetative (leaf fall and budding) phenophases. Given the combination of reproductive phenology, vegetative phenology, and seasonality, we observed four phenological strategies for the six species. Therefore this study revealed great diversity in phenological patterns, even when considering the small number of species sampled. Moreover, all species showed a significant seasonal pattern for the reproductive phenophases, with high concentrations of species reproducing during a given season, suggesting a key role of climate in defining phenological patterns in the "campo rupestre" grasslands.

Foi descrito, pela primeira vez, a distribuição espacial da galha esférica (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) em árvores de Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae). Este trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas pastagens em Montes Claros, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. As áreas estudadas foram: pastagem 1 (em atividade) e pastagem 2 (pastagem abandonada = cerrado em recuperação). Foi avaliada a distribuição de galhas esféricas em relação a: orientação das folhas no dossel, entre folhas (na borda ou no interior da copa da árvore), entre folíolos (direito, central, esquerdo), regiões distal, mediano, e proximal bem como na margem, área central e próximo à nervura central dos folíolos, e a diferença entre pastagens em 10 árvores infestadas por área. O menor número de galhas esféricas/folíolo foi observado na pastagem 1 do que na pastagem 2. Mais galhas esféricas foram encontradas na face norte em pastagem 1, mas na pastagem 2, o menor número destas galhas foi observado nesta face (norte). O número médio de galhas esféricas não diferiu estatisticamente entre os folíolos de C. brasiliense na pastagem 2. Entretanto, na pastagem 1, foi observado maior número de galhas esféricas no folíolo central. Mais galhas esféricas foram encontradas na borda do que no interior da copa das árvores. O número médio de galhas esféricas não diferiu estatisticamente entre as regiões longitudinais dos folíolos de C. brasiliense. Entretanto, esse inseto galhador preferiu colonizar a margem dos folíolos à parte central ou próximo da nervura central dos folíolos.

We obtained the first data on spatial distribution of a spherical galling insect (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) at the Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) tree level. This work was developed in two pastures in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The areas studied were: pasture 1 (in activity) and pasture 2 (abandoned pasture = savanna in recovery). We evaluated the distribution of spherical galls in: foliage orientation (slope), among leaves (border and interior of the tree crown), among leaflets (right, central, left), distal, median, and proximal as well as border, central area, and adjacent to the mid leaf vein of the leaflet, and difference between areas in 10 infested trees per area. The smaller number of spherical gall/leaflet was observed in pasture 1 than in pasture 2. More spherical galls were found on the northern in pasture 1, but in the pasture 2, the lower spherical galls were observed on the northeast than other slopes. The average number of spherical galls did not differ statistically among the three leaflets of C. brasiliense in pasture 2. However, in pasture 1, we observed highest number of spherical galls in the central leaflet. More spherical galls were found in the border than interior of the tree crown. The average number of spherical galls did not differ statistically among the longitudinal region on leaflet of C. brasiliense. The spherical gall insect preferred to colonize the leaf margin than the central portion or near mid vein on transversal regions on a leaflet.

Diversidade de insetos indutores de galhas na floresta tropical seca (caatinga) de Pernambuco. Este artigo reporta sobre a riqueza de insetos galhadores na vegetação de caatinga de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram registrados 64 diferentes tipos de galhas coletadas principalmente em folhas e caules de 48 espécies de plantas hospedeiras pertencentes a 17 famílias e 31 gêneros. Os tipos morfológicos de galhas mais comuns foram esferóide e discóides, glabro, predominantemente verde e com uma câmara. O principal táxon indutor de galhas foi Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). Os resultados deste estudo contribuem para o conhecimento da diversidade de insetos galhadores e planta-hospedeira na caatinga.

Diversity of gall-inducing insects in the tropical dry forest (caatinga) of Pernambuco. We report on the richness of galling insects in the vegetation of caatinga of Pernambuco state, Brazil. We recorded 64 different types of galls collected primarily from leaves and stems of 48 species of host plants belonging to 17 families and 31 genera. The most common gall morphological types were spheroid and discoid, glabrous, predominantly green and with one chamber. The main gall inducing taxon was the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). The results of this study contribute to existing knowledge of galling insect and host-plant diversity in caatinga.

Bruggmanniella doliocarpi, uma nova espécie galhadora associada com Doliocarpus dentatus (Dilleniaceae) é descrita e ilustrada (macho, fêmea, pupa, larva e galha) com base em material coletado em Minas Gerais, Brasil. A nova espécie é comparada com as outras espécies neotropicais conhecidas. Esse é o primeiro registro de Bruggmanniella para Minas Gerais e em Dilleniaceae.

Bruggmanniella doliocarpi, a new galling species associated with Doliocarpus dentatus (Dilleniaceae) is described and illustrated (male, female, pupa, larva and gall) based on material from Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species is compared to the other known Neotropical species. This is the first report of Bruggmanniella for Minas Gerais and in association with Dilleniaceae.

A Hipótese do Vigor de Plantas (HVP) prevê uma oviposição preferencial e alta performance da prole em ramos longos e de crescimento rápido da planta hospedeira. Embora diversos estudos tenham testado suas predições, estudos de longa duração focados no padrão de seleção de planta hospedeira por insetos galhadores ainda são escassos. A HVP foi testada neste estudo usando Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) como planta hospedeira de uma galha foliar induzida por Asphondylia microcapillata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) por três anos consecutivos. Ramos foram coletados das mesmas 80 plantas entre 2001 e 2003 e o tamanho do ramo, número de ramos galhados e sadios, número de galhas e fatores de mortalidade foram registrados. Aproximadamente 600 galhas de A. microcapillata foram coletadas em 5.800 ramos de B. brevipes. Ramos médios suportaram entre 46% e 70% do total de galhas, e a taxa de sobrevivência das galhas foi maior em 2002 e 2003. Uma diminuição da taxa de parasitismo associada com um aumento da taxa de predação de galhas resultou em uma sobrevivência similar em todos os anos (x = 22,7%). A abundância de galhas variou entre os anos (122 em 2001, 114 em 2002 e 359 e 2003). A preferência por ramos longos não foi observada porque a porcentagem de ramos galhados e folhas galhadas foram maiores em ramos de classes de tamanho intermediário por dois anos. A distribuição observada da abundância de galhas e ramos galhados foi sempre maior do que a distribuição esperada em classes de ramos médios. Estes resultados não suportam a HVP, e mostram que A. microcapillata pode maximizar a preferência da fêmea e a performance larval em ramos de tamanho médio de B. brevipes.

Pattern of attack of a galling insect reveals an unexpected preference-performance linkage on medium-sized resources. The Plant Vigor Hypothesis (PVH) predicts oviposition preference and higher offspring performance on longer and fast-growing shoots, and although several studies have tested its predictions, long-term studies concerning the patterns of host selection by galling species are still lacking. The PVH was tested in this study using Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) as the host of a leaf gall midge, Asphondylia microcapillata (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) during three consecutive years. Shoots were collected from the same 80 plants between 2001 and 2003 and shoot length, number of healthy and galled leaves, gall number, and mortality factors were recorded. Nearly 600 galls were found on the 5,800 shoots collected. Medium-sized shoots supported from 46 to 70% of all galls, with greater gall survival rate in 2002 and 2003. A decrease in parasitism rate coupled with an increase in gall predation lead to a constant similar gall survivorship rate in all years (x = 22.7%). Although gall abundance varied among years (122 in 2001, 114 in 2002 and 359 in 2003) preference for longer shoots was not observed because the percentage of galled shoots and galled leaves were higher on medium shoot length classes in all years. The observed distribution of gall abundance and galled shoots were always greater than the expected distribution on medium shoot length classes. These findings do not support the PVH, and show that A. microcapillata can maximize the female preference and larval performance on medium-sized shoots of B. brevipes.

Duas novas espécies de Lopesia Rübsaamen, 1908 (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Lopesiini), L. mimosae Maia, sp. nov. and L. pernambucensis Maia, sp. nov., que induzem galhas em Mimosa hostilis Benth. (Mimosaceae) são descritas e ilustradas com base em material da caatinga de Pernambuco, Brasil.

Two new species of Lopesia Rübsaamen (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) associated with Mimosa hostilis (Mimosaceae) in Brazil Two new species of Lopesia Rübsaamen (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Lopesiini), L. mimosae Maia, sp. nov. and L. pernambucensis Maia, sp. nov., that induce galls on Mimosa hostilis Benth. (Mimosaceae) are described and illustrated based on material from "caatinga" in Pernambuco, Brazil.

A riqueza de insetos galhadores é maior nas latitudes intermediárias em hábitats quentes e com vegetação esclerófila sob estresse hídrico e de nutrientes. Em regiões tropicais, os campos rupestres são indicados como hábitats ricos em espécies de insetos galhadores. Neste trabalho, foram descritas as galhas induzidas por insetos e suas plantas hospedeiras na porção sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço, sudeste do Brasil. Foram selecionados 60 sítios em seis regiões ao longo na porção sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço no estado de Minas Gerais. Em cada sítio 100 plantas foram amostradas totalizando 6.000 plantas censuradas ao longo de um gradiente altitudinal de 668 a 1860m. Foram encontrados 241 morfotipos de galhas em 142 espécies de plantas distribuídas em 29 famílias e de um total de 384 espécies de plantas amostradas. As famílias mais ricas em espécies de insetos galhadores foram Asteraceae (42%), principalmente espécies do gênero Baccharis. A maior parte das galhas (85%) foi induzida por insetos da família Cecidomyiidae seguidos por Lepidoptera (4%) e Homoptera (3%). Os ramos foram os órgãos mais freqüentemente atacados (72%) enquanto que os morfotipos mais comuns foram o elíptico (37%) e o globóide (36%). A espécie de planta hospedeira que apresentou mais morfotipos de galhas foi Baccharis pseudomyriocephala com 10 galhas distintas. Este estudo sustenta a afirmativa que campos rupestres apresentam uma elevada riqueza em espécies de insetos galhadores.

Galling species richness is higher at intermediate latitudes on warm habitats and sclerophyllous vegetation under water and nutrient stress. In the tropical region, galling species richness is higher in rupestrian fields. Here the gall-inducing insects and their host plants of the southern portion of the Espinhaço range, southeastern Brazil are described. 60 study sites from six distinct regions along the Espinhaço range, at Minas Gerais state were selected. In each study site 100 plants were sampled summing up to 6,000 plants censused along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 668m to 1860m a.s.l. A total of 241 distinct galls morphotypes were found on 142 host plant species belonging to 29 families from a total 384 species censused. The richest galling fauna was found in the Asteraceae (42%), mainly the genus Baccharis. The largest proportion of galls (85%) was induced by Cecidomyiidae followed by Lepidoptera (4%) and Homoptera (3%). Stems were the most frequently galled plant organ (72%) while the most common shapes were elliptical (37%) and globoid (36%). The host plant species presenting the highest number of gall morphotypes types was Baccharis pseudomyriocephala with 10 galls. This study supported the assertion that rupestrian fields present the highest galling species richness.