Abstract
One of the galling herbivores associated to the superhost Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera (Anacardiaceae) is Calophya duvauae Scott (Hemiptera: Calophyidae). The galls are located on the adaxial surface of leaves and vary from red to green. The levels of their pigments were herein investigated in relation to age. Samples were collected between June 2008 and March 2009, in a population of S. polygamus at Cangucu municipality, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Galls were separated by color, measured, dissected, and the instar of the inducer was determined. The levels of photosynthetic (chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophylls, and carotenoids) and protective pigments (anthocyanins) were also evaluated. Red galls were more numerous than the green ones, and the induction should occur preferentially on young leaves, but may also occur on mature leaves. Immature stages of C. duvauae were observed in all samples throughout the year, characterizing its life cycle as multivoltine. There was a significant correlation between the instar of the inducer and the size of the gall (r = 0.675, p < 0.001), with larger galls corresponding to more advanced instars. The ratio between red and green galls varied over the samples, with the highest (96%) and lowest (38%) frequency of red galls observed in September, and December 2008, respectively. The average amounts of chlorophyll b and total chlorophylls were 70% lower in the gall tissues when compared to non-galled portions of galled leaves. There is a notable reduction in the contents of all pigments in the galls when compared to non-galled leaves, especially for total anthocyanins in green galls. The red galls presumably had the constant stimuli of healthy gall inducers, whereas in green galls they died prematurely, due to the interference of parasitoids and inquilines. The alterations in gall structure and color were related to the gradual decreasing in galling stimuli.
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