Control of gall morphology: tephritid gallformers (Aciurina spp.) on rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus)

Abstract

Abstract. 1 Sibling species of tephritid flies occumng on separate subspecies of Chrysofhamizus nauseosus Hall and Clements have distinct gall moiphologies (smooth and cotton). 2 Cross matings of and subsequent confinement of the flies to particular host plants demonstrated that the insect's and not the plant's genotype dictated the morphology of the gall, although the plant genotype may determine whether or not a gall is produced. 3 The results implicate a possible single gene control mechanism for external gall morphology.