Manipulation of host plant development by the gall‐midge Rhabdophaga strobiloides

Abstract

Abstract. 1. The gall‐midge Rhabdophaga strobiloides (O.S.) forms a gall in the apical bud of actively growing willow twigs.2. Galls were not randomly distributed among twigs. Twigs that arose towards the distal end of the branch were much more likely to be galled. Distally located twigs also grew to greater girth than more proximally located twigs.3. Comparisons of galled twigs with normal twigs in similar locations along their branch showed that the gall causes even greater growth in twig girth than when no gall is present.4. The hypothesis that galled twigs draw photosynthate produced elsewhere in the plant was tested in an experiment that measured the growth of galled and normal twigs. with their leaves intact, to galled and normal twigs that were manually defoliated. Defoliation caused reduced growth in normal twigs, but galled twigs grew equally well with or without their leaves. Leaf removal had no effect on gall growth.5. Twig diameter was positively correlated with gall diameter. Call diameter was positively correlated with larval biomass.6. Patterns of twig and gall growth suggest that the gall‐midge manipulates host plant growth and development to provide resources for growth and survival. Manipulation of the host may be an important phenomenon in the evolution of parasitic organisms.