Can Host Plant Richness be Used as a Surrogate for Galling Insect Diversity?

Abstract

Galling insects are the only insects capable of manipulating plant tissues to form complex structures. The number of known species of galling insect is small compared to the large diversity that statistical estimates suggest for this group. The study of galling insect diversity can be a difficult task in mega-diverse environments such as in tropical regions, thus justifying the use of surrogates. This study investigated whether or not host plant richness and super-host taxa can be used as surrogates for galling insect diversity. Surveys were conducted in 15 areas of cerrado sensu stricto in different localities of the Brazilian Cerrado. The results showed that host plant richness was the main predictor of galling insect diversity. The plant genus Qualea (Vochysiaceae), with 18 galling species, was the super-host taxon used in the analyses. Despite the influence of genus on galling insect richness, the abundance of Qualea was not related to galling insect diversity. Surrogates can be a useful tool for estimating galling insect richness and diversity patterns, both of which are relevant for conservation assessments.