Green Galls Research Articles

New species and records of gall mites of the genus Aceria (Eriophyoidea, Eriophyidae) associated with Tamarix in Egypt and South Africa

This paper reports on eriophyoid mites of the genus Aceria Keifer (Eriophyoidea, Eriophyidae) associated with Tamarisk plants (Tamarix spp., Tamaricaceae) in Egypt and South Africa. Three new Aceria species are described: A. aegyptytamaricis n. sp. causing green galls on buds and twigs of Tamarix senegalensis DC. in Egypt, A. noorspoortiensis n. sp. causing bright pink galls on young shoots of T. usneoides E. Mey. ex Bunge in South Africa, and A. benhaiensis n. sp. living under scaly leaves and causing small green galls and deformation of twigs on T. senegalensis in Egypt and T. usneoides (in South Africa). Sequences of three genes, Cox1, D1D2 28S, and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, were obtained for A. noorspoortiensis n. sp. and A. benhaiensis n. sp. Blastx search for Cox1 sequences of both new species against Aceria from GenBank (a) indicated the sequence AIT38252.1 of Aceria sp. from Tamarix sp. from India as the most similar with 87–90% identity and 55–56% coverage and (b) revealed one codon deletion about 500 bp in the 3′ direction from the Cox1 start codon, which is the first documented case of a codon deletion in the middle part of this gene in Eriophyinae. Additionally, supplementary descriptions of three other Aceria spp. collected from tamarisks in Egypt are given. They are: A. amrini Joshi from big brown galls of T. aphylla (L.) H. Karst. (first record for Africa), A. dioicae (Keifer) from green galls on buds and twigs of T. senegalensis, and A. tamaricis (Trotter) from green galls on buds and twigs of T. senegalensis (first record for Africa).

A Comprehensive Approach to Manage Eriophyes prosopidis Mite induced Flower Galls in Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce

The Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria), is a vital resource in the Thar Desert. Sangri, the name of its pods, is the key ingredient in the Rajasthani vegetable dishes Panchkutta and Trikuta. There is severe gall formation and significant pod reduction in P. cineraria caused by the eriophyid mite Eriophyes prosopidis. The gall-infested trees look unwell because they have a lot of disorganized and deformed green galls hanging from them. During the field trials of the present study, we found that the infestation of this mite can be managed by an integrated management approach. The mechanical removal of dried galls fallen on surface and lopping at an interval of one year can reduce the infestation considerably. Treatment with botanicals Putranjiva roxburgii (10%) leaf extract, Balanites aegyptiaca (10%) leaf extract, spray of Metarhizium anisopliae 2.5 x 107 conidia /ml and chemicals Abamectin 1.9% EC @1ml/L and Diafenthiuron 25% WW + Pyriproxyfen 5% WW @ 2ml/L can be utilized for effective management of flower galls of P. cineraria.

Two new Eriophyes species (Acari: Eriophyidae) on tamarisk trees from Egypt

Two new Eriophyes species are described and illustrated on tamarisk (athel) plants from Egypt. They are Eriophyes aegyptitamarix sp. nov., collected from the base of leaves and twigs of Tamarix senegalensis DC. (Tamaricaceae) and caused rusting symptoms, and Eriophyes gizaensis sp. nov., collected from rounded green galls on buds and twigs of T. senegalensis. The adult and immature stages of both species are described and illustrated.

Metabolite investments and stress levels among tissue compartments of

Galling insects manipulate host plant tissues for their own benefit. Because of feeding activity of the gall insects, both structural and metabolic changes occur in the host plant, leading to the formation of an abnormal growth of new organ (the gall). Galls induced by Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera) on Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) depend on the constant larval feeding stimulus for establishment and development. The gall consists of two tissue compartments – the storage and nutritive tissues. These two gall tissues were investigated here in terms of the levels of oxidative stress and of a possible differential chemical investment. In addition, we investigated the relationship between gall coloration and the concentration of primary metabolites. Our results supported a differential investment of chemical compounds in the M. radula compartments, with higher concentrations of polysaccharides, malondialdehyde, and phenolic compounds in the storage tissue, and higher total soluble sugar concentrations in the nutritive tissue. Regarding gall colour, conflicting results were observed in the present gall system. Water-soluble polysaccharides were detected at higher concentrations in red galls than in green galls. As a water-soluble polysaccharide, pectin seems to be related to increased anthocyanin stability, a process that might occur in galls, leading to red coloration.

Up-regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis system in peach species by peach aphids produces anthocyanins that protect the aphids against UVB and UVC radiation.

Conspicuous color is a common trait of foliar galls, but their relationship with gall-inducing insects is unknown. Red and green galls were taken from sunny or shady parts of peach species Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. f. rubro-plena Schneid with peach aphid Tuberocephalus momonis (Matsumura) infestation. We found that the loss of photosynthetic pigments was associated with the conspicuous coloration of green gall tissues. The concentrations of anthocyanins significantly increased following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of green gall tissues, suggesting that accumulation of anthocyanins in red galls is related to ultraviolet B and C (UVB and UVC) radiation. The expression of structural genes related to the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid and malic acid benzoate was increased in all gall tissues and negatively correlated with the expression profiles of certain genes associated with photosynthetic biosynthesis, indicating that the increased transcript levels of the phenylpropanoid pathway might cause loss of photosynthetic efficiency in the gall tissues. Transcriptome and quantitative reverse transcription PCR analyses revealed that MYB transcription factors that up-regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in red gall tissues might be activated by both UVB and UVC exposure. Comet assays suggest that green and red gall tissues have similar DNA damage following UV irradiation. No obvious effect of the up-regulated compounds on the growth of the peach aphid was observed. Interestingly, peach aphids under leaves painted with anthocyanins had lower mortality following UV irradiation than those in controls. These results suggest that the anthocyanins in red gall tissues have a defensive function for the peach aphid, protecting it against UV radiation.

Morphological Studies of Insect-Induced Galls in Flower and Fruit of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br

Morphological changes in insect-induced galls in flowers and fruits of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) were recorded. The insect Pauropsylla tuberculata Crawford (Homoptera: Psyllidae) penetrates the thalamus of young flowers inducing hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the parenchymatous tissue resulting in the formations of green galls of various sizes and shapes. The reproductive organs, stamens, and pistil of galled flowers are sterile. Pollen sterility was associated with abnormal behaviour of endothecium and the tapetum. In young anthers of severely infested flowers, the sporogenous tissue and tapetum degenerate. In anthers of some infested flowers, the callose wall surrounding pollen mother cells was thick although tapetal cells showed normal signs of degeneration. In anthers of a few infested flowers, the microspores were formed but they degenerated along with tapetal cells. Anthers of some diseased flowers contained thick-walled vacuolated and sterile microspores surrounded by degenerated tapetum layer and radially elongated endothecial cells which lacked the usual fibrous thickenings. The size of gynoecium and the size and number of ovules were reduced in galled flowers. Ovules failed to differentiate and represented by a globular undifferentiated mass of cells. A large number of green, conical galls are formed on fruits by hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the parenchymatous pericarp. Size of severely infested fruits was reduced, and they became thick, circular and seedless. As a consequence, sexual reproduction of the host tree was completely inhibited.

Variación en el contenido de clorofilas, carotenos y antocianos en agallas inducidas por Neolithus spp. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) sobre Sapium haematospermum (Euphorbiaceae)

Agudelo, Ignacio; Marcelo Wagner; Rafael Ricco. 2017. “Variation in the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins in galls induced by Neolithus spp (He- miptera: Psyllidae) in Sapium haematospermum (Euphorbiaceae)”. Lilloa 54 (2). Sapium hae- matospermum Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree native to South America and is usually infested by psyllids of the Neolithus genus, which induce the formation of galls in its leaves. The insect induces anatomical and biochemical changes that form a new structure with a particular tissue arrangement to protect the host. Photographs of red galls, green galls and mature fruit were obtained. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid pigments and anthocyanins were measured by spectrophotometric techniques. Also transversal cuts were performed in order to know the histological disposition of the anthocyanin compounds; the aglycone compound was characterized by chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. Galls had a lower concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids compared to healthy leaves. Anthocyanins were found in the external epidermis of red galls; this organ had the largest concentration of these pigments and the main aglycone was cyanidin. Green galls and healthy leaves didn’t have a detectable amount of these substances. Galls had a lower concentration of photosynthetic pigments; this is an indicator of a reduced photosynthesis typical of pho- toassimilates sinks. The anthocyanins are mainly cyanidin glycosides and are located in the external epidermis; this indicates and aposematic and/or an UV-protection function.

Light-dependent green gall formation induced by Meloidogyne incognita

Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most detrimental root-knot nematode pests in the world because of its wide range of hosts, infecting almost all plant species. Following infection, this nematode induces gall formation in the root. We have found that these induced galls turn green in tomato roots exposed to light. This gall greening was light-dependent and inhibited by auxin treatment. Chlorophyll was detected in these green galls, and chloroplasts were also observed in the root-knot region. Expression of the chlorophyll a/b-binding protein-4 gene was upregulated in the galls. These results indicate that light treatment induces chloroplast development in tomato plants infected with M. incognita during gall development.

Why do the galls induced by Calophya duvauae Scott on Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera (Anacardiaceae) change colors?

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.

Tremella macrobasidiata (Basidiomycota, Tremellales), a new lichenicolous fungus from the Iberian Peninsula

AbstractTremella macrobasidiata is a proposed new species for a lichenicolous heterobasidomycete strictly parasitizing the hymenium of Lecanora chlarotera. It is reported from Spain, and is characterized by large and particularly variable basidia, rather large basidiospores and the production of asteroconidia, forming brownish to dark green galls in the specific host apothecia. The presence of asteroconidia is discussed. Comparisons with closely related lichenicolous Tremella species are also provided.

Synchytrium endobioticum . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Synchytrium endobioticum . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Solanaceae (potato, Solanum tuberosum ). Other plants infected experimentally include several species of Solanum (Karling, 1964), Petunia and Nicotiana spp. (53, 4566), Lycopersicon esculentum, Physalis and Capsicastrum spp. (59, 416). DISEASE: Potato wart disease, causing dark brown warty cauliflower-like excrescences of infected tubers, which decay to release golden-brown resting spores. On aerial shoots green galls may develop, composed of convoluted masses of tissue. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America (CMI Map 1, ed. 5, 1972). TRANSMISSION: By the movement of infected soil or plant tissues. Local dispersal by zoospores swimming in water films may also occur.

ON THE CABBAGE-SHAPED GALL OF CECIDOMYIA SALICIS-BRASSICOIDES, AND ITS OCCUPANTS

On July 9, 1892, I found in the Grand Canon, Arizona on the Hance trail, near the Colorado River, numbers of the green galls of this species on the narrow-leafed Salix sp. (probably S. longifolia.) Three that were picked on this date measure 19 to 20 mm. in length, and 11 mm. in width on widest portion near base. They preserve their light green colour, except for their whitish, thick pubescence. Some last year's galls were also found in the canon on the willows near the stone cabin. They measure 16 to 17 mm. in length, and 10 to 11 mm. in width. They are more spread out apically; therefore not conical in outline, and are reddish-brown in colour, probably from being weathered.