Abstract
Only a few species of aphids induce galls. Among these, Paracletus cimiciformis, Forda marginata, Forda formicaria, Geoica utricularia and Baizongia pistaciae induce galls on Pistacia terebinthus leaflets. Prior to present study the author examined microscopically P. terebinthus leaflets. He also studied the microscopic morphology of galls induced by the five species mentioned above. A clear microscopic difference between these galls is that in the wall of galls induced by the genera Paracletus and Forda a single vascular bundle is seen. The interpretation is that these galls are laminae of the modified leaflets. However, in the walls of the galls induced by the genera Geoica and Baizongia, two vascular bundles are observed. In the present paper a study of the early stages of development of galls produced by G. utricularia is described. The study was designed to explain the origin of the two vascular bundles present in the walls of these galls. The findings indicate that the aphid induces a massive development of the two vascular bundles present in the midvein of the leaflets of P. terebinthus: the main vascular bundle and the small supernumerary vascular bundle. Both these extremely developed vascular bundles occupy the walls of the galls induced by G. utricularia.
Highlights
Aphids are insects that feed on the phloem sap that flows through the plant [1,2]
The findings indicate that the aphid induces a massive development of the two vascular bundles present in the midvein of the leaflets of P. terebinthus: the main vascular bundle and the small supernumerary vascular bundle
The generalized hypertrophy causes a displacement of the midvein with respect to control leaflets. It can be seen how the two vascular bundles enter the wall of the gall (Figure 2)
Summary
Aphids are insects that feed on the phloem sap that flows through the plant [1,2]. Most aphids live in populations in the open air. A few species (the Eriosomatinae) form galls on host plants. The structure of the galls is controlled by the aphids themselves [3]. Gall-inducing aphids do not eat the tissue of the host, but they reorganize the vascular tissues to be able to access them [4]. Among the species of gall-forming aphids, G. utricularia induces galls on leaflets of plants of the genus Pistacia
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