Abstract Myrtaceae have a wide geographical distribution in Brazil and host a great richness of Cecidomyiidae galls. However, the number of cecidomyiid species on them has not yet been established and the knowledge of their geographic distribution is deficient. We provide the first list of cecidomyiid species on Myrtaceae and analyze their distribution in Brazilian biomes. A literature review was performed and new data were obtained from herbarium specimens of the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil, 13 species of Myrtaceae of five genera shelter described species of gall midges. Eugenia hosts the greatest richness of gall-inducers. All plant species have human uses and are native to Brazil, being seven endemic. Myrtaceae shelter 25 cecidomyiid species of 13 genera in 25 gall morphotypes. Sixteen species occur on endemic hosts, highlighting the peculiarity of the Brazilian fauna. These Cecidomyiidae occur collectively in five biomes, but most species (92%) are known from the Atlantic Forest, where 72% appear exclusively. Sixty per cent are restricted to a single Brazilian state, indicating their still poorly known distribution.

Abstract Serra Negra do Funil Natural Heritage Private Reserve (NHPR), located in MG, was surveyed for insect galls monthly from October, 2015 to May, 2020. The local vegetation was examined. Dried branches of the host plants were prepared and identified by a botanical taxonomist. Galls were photographed, removed from the plants and taken to the laboratory. By rearing and gall dissection, inducing-insects and other dwellers were obtained. A total of 63 gall morphotypes were found on 48 plant species of 22 families. Fabaceae and Asteraceae harbored the greatest gall richness. Twelve host plants are endemic to Brazil, one in vulnerable and one near threatened. Most galls were induced on leaves, brown and green were the most frequent gall colors, and globoid was the most common gall shape. The majority were glabrous, one-chambered and induced by Cecidomyiidae. These results reinforce Brazilian patterns of gall morphology. The highest richness of galls on Fabaceae and Asteraceae, and on trees and shrubs adds evidence in favor of the plant richness and architectural complexity hypotheses. New plant-gall inducer associations were provided. The role of gall-inducers as ecosystem engineer was reinforced. The high number of endemism shows the importance of this NHPR for the biodiversity conservation.

Resumo: A Caatinga é uma floresta tropical sazonalmente seca, uma das mais ricas em espécies vegetais. Infelizmente, muitos grupos de insetos herbívoros associados a essas plantas são pouco conhecidos. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a diversidade de insetos galhadores (IG) e plantas hospedeiras (PH) na Caatinga. Para isso, nós compilamos as informações disponíveis na literatura de inventários sobre a comunidade de IG e suas PH, e as espécies descritas de cecidomiídeos. Nós encontramos 100 espécies, 72 gêneros e 32 famílias de PH abrigando um total de 156 morfoespécies de IG e 12 espécies descritas de cecidomiídeos. Espécies de plantas com apenas uma espécie de IG representaram 74% das hospedeiras, mas para as super PH (ou seja, PH com alto número de IG), apesar do pequeno número de espécies de PH, havia muitas espécies de IG. Fabaceae foi a família mais rica, com 30% das espécies de PH e 40% dos IG. Além disso, nossos resultados mostraram um baixo número de espécies de PH e IG para a Caatinga brasileira, e discutimos esse padrão com os seguintes argumentos, primeiro, é provável que o número de inventários de insetos galhadores para a Caatinga seja subamostrado, segundo a Caatinga possui um número relativamente menor de espécies vegetais quando comparada a outros biomas e, por fim, argumentamos que a Caatinga é uma floresta tropical sazonalmente seca onde a deciduidade representa um fator relevante para as taxas de colonização e desempenho dos IG.

Abstract: Caatinga is a seasonally dry tropical forest, one of the richest in plant species. Unfortunately, many groups of herbivorous insects associated with these plants are poorly known. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of gall-inducing insects (GII) and host plants (HP) in the Caatinga. For this, we compiled the information available in the literature of inventories on GII and their HP communities, and the described gall midge species. We found 100 species, 72 genera, and 32 families of HP hosting a total of 156 morphospecies of GII and 12 species of described cecidomyiids. Plant species with only one GII species represented 74% of hosts, but in super HP (i.e., HP with a high number of GII), despite the small number of HP species, there were many GII species. Fabaceae was also the most specious family, with 30% of HP species and 40% of GII. Furthermore, our results showed a low number of species of HP and GII for the Brazilian Caatinga, that we discussed this pattern with the following arguments, first, it is likely that the number of galling insect inventories for the Caatinga is under-sampled, second the Caatinga has a relatively smaller number of plant species when compared to other biomes, and finally, we argue that the Caatinga is a seasonally dry tropical forest where the deciduousness represents a relevant factor in the colonization and performance rates of GII.

ABSTRACT As few Asilidae inventories of Rio de Janeiro areas have been published, there are many data gaps. This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge of richness, abundance and distribution of this family in this State. From January 2013 to March 2014, insects were collected monthly using Malaise traps and every two months using entomological nets in the Reserva Biológica União (REBIO), and Estação Ecológica Estadual de Guaxindiba (EEEG). 682 specimens of Asilidae were collected in the present study, distributed in 31 genera and 51 species (20 identified and 31 unidentified), 527 of REBIO (in 19 genera and 38 species - 14 identified and 24 unidentified), and 155 specimens of EEEG (in 12 genera and 19 species - 6 identified and 13 unidentified). Leptogaster was the most abundant genus being L. tropica (Curran 1934) the most abundant species in the REBIO, with 268 specimens and Leptogaster sp., with 54 specimens, the most abundant in the EEEG. All records of genera and species in the present study are new in the REBIO and EEEG, wich contribute to the knowledge of the Asilidae geographic distribution and richness in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

ABSTRACT Two Pantanal areas were investigated in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul. The field works were carried out in five trails, in August and December/2011 and April/2012. Seventy-six gall morphotypes were found in 52 host plants, 22 of them were identified at species level and 30 at genus. Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapindaceae were the plant families with the greatest richness of gall. Leaves were the plant organ with the greatest gall richness. Six gall shapes were found - globoid, lenticular, fusiform, cylindrical, conical, and marginal roll. The three first were the most common. Five colors were observed - green, brown, red, yellow, and black. Green and brown predominated. Most were glabrous and one-chambered. These features have been indicated in several Brazilian biomes. Diptera (Cecidomyiidae) were the most frequent gallers. The associated fauna comprised parasitoids (Eulophidae, Braconidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Platygastridae, and Pteromalidae), inquilines (Cecidomyiidae: Trotteria Kieffer, 1902, Hymenoptera: Tanaostigmoides Ashmead, 1896, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Thysanoptera) and predators (Pseudoscorpionida: Olpiolum medium Beier, 1931, Cecidomyiidae: Lestodiplosini and Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Parasitoids were the most frequent. Multiparatism was observed. Our data represent the first contribution to the knowledge of the associated fauna in the Pantanal.

ABSTRACT The Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI) (Brazilian Southeast Region) was surveyed monthly for insect galls from February/2014 to December/ 2015. A total of 432 gall morphotypes were found. This number places the PNI as the richest Atlantic forest area in number of gall morphotypes. The galls were found on 47 plant families. Among them, Asteraceae were pointed out as the superhost. The gall richness in the lower part of the PNI is higher than that of the plateau. The insect galls were found in 154 native, 56 endemic and only one exotic plant species. Concerning the conservational status, the host plants include two vulnerable species with three morphotypes together. Several new botanical records were reported. Leaves were the most galled plant organ, followed by stems. Globoid, green, glabrous and one-chambered galls were the most frequent. Cecidomyiidae were the most common gallers. Parasitoids, successors and inquilines composed the associated fauna.

ABSTRACT Surveys in the coastal sandy plains (restingas) of Rio de Janeiro have shown a great richness of galls. We investigated the galling insects in two preserved restingas areas of Rio de Janeiro state: Parque Estadual da Costa do Sol and Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Fazenda Caruara. The collections were done each two months, from June 2011 to May 2012. We investigated 38 points during 45 minutes each per collection. The galls were taken to the laboratory for rearing the insects. A total number of 151 insect galls were found in 82 plant species distributed into 34 botanic families. Most of the galls occurred on leaves and the plant families with the highest richness of galls were Myrtaceae and Fabaceae. All the six insect orders with galling species were found in this survey, where Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) was the main galler group. Hymenoptera and Thysanoptera were found as parasitoids and inquilines in 29 galls. The richness of galls in the surveyed areas reveals the importance of restinga for the composition and diversity of gall-inducing insect fauna.

Duas novas espécies e um novo gênero de insetos galhadores (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) são descritos e ilustrados. Ambas espécies induzem galhas foliares em Myrtaceae, a primeira em Eugenia uniflora e a segunda em Psidium cattleianum.

Two new species and a new genus of gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) are described and illustrated. Both species induce leaf galls on Myrtaceae, the former on Eugenia uniflora and the latter on Psidium cattleianum.

Uma nova espécie de Youngomyia Felt, 1908, inquilina de galhas em botão floral de Jacquemontia holosericea (Convolvulaceae), é descrita (larva, pupa, macho e fêmea) baseado em material do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

A new species of Youngomyia Felt, 1908, inquiline in galls on inflorescences of Jacquemontia holosericea (Convolvulaceae), is described (larva, pupa, male and female) based on material from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Apesar do elevado número de espécies da fauna de insetos indutores de galhas na região Neotropical, muito pouco espécies foram descritas. Por outro lado, o morfotipo da galha associado com a espécie da planta hospedeira é em todo o mundo amplamente utilizado como um indicador da espécie de inseto indutor. Este estudo revê as espécies de cecidommídeos descritos e suas galhas para verificar a generalização do uso da morfologia da galha como indicador da espécie de cecidomíideo na fauna brasileira. Nós compilamos dados biológicos e taxonômicos de 196 espécies de cecidomiídeos em 128 espécies de plantas no Brasil. Noventa e dois porcento destas espécies foram monófagas, induzindo galhas em uma única espécie de planta hospedeira, enquanto somente 5,6% das espécies foram oligófagas, induzindo galhas em mais de uma espécie de planta do mesmo gênero. Somente quatro espécies induzem galhas em espécies de plantas de gêneros diferentes. Nós concluímos que o morfo-tipo da galha associado com a espécie da planta hospedeira e com o órgão atacado são indicadores confiáveis da espécie de insetos indutores de galhas.

Despite the speciose fauna of gall-inducing insects in the Neotropical region, little is known about their taxonomy. On the other hand, gall morphotypes associated with host species have been extensively used as a surrogate of the inducer species worldwide. This study reviewed the described gall midges and their galls to test the generalization on the use of gall morphotypes as surrogates of gall midge species in the Brazilian fauna. We compiled taxonomic and biological data for 196 gall midge species recorded on 128 host plant species. Ninety two percent of those species were monophagous, inducing galls on a single host plant species, whereas only 5.6% species were oligophagous, inducing galls on more than one congeneric host plant species. Only four species induced galls on more than one host plant genus. We conclude that gall morphotypes associated with information on the host plant species and attacked organs are reliable surrogates of the gall-inducing species.

Lopesia brasiliensis Rübsaamen, 1908 foi descrita como macho, fêmea e larva, com base em material dos Estados do Rio de Janeiro e Santa Catarina (Brasil). Esse cecidomiídeo induz galhas foliares em Ossaea sp. (Melastomataceae). A pupa é descrita e ilustrada pela primeira vez.

Lopesia brasiliensis Rübsaamen, 1908 was described as male, female and larva, based on material from the States of Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina (Brazil). This cecidomyiid induces leaf galls on Ossaea sp. (Melastomataceae). The pupa is described and illustrated for the first time.

Clinodiplosis costai, uma nova espécie de Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) que induz galhas em folhas jovens de Paullinia weinmanniaefolia é descrita (larva, macho e fêmea) com base em material do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil).

Clinodiplosis costai, a new species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) that induces galls on young leaves of Paullinia weinmanniaefolia is described (larva, male and female) based on material from Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil).