Where host plant goes, galls go too: new records of the Neotropical galling Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) associated with Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. (Calophyllaceae)

Abstract

Calophyllum brasiliense, a Neotropical species, hosts seven galling Cecidomyiidae reported only for Brazil. Our hypothesis is the distribution of the galling insects associated with C. brasiliense is similar to that of the host plant. We checked gall occurrence by field sampling and by searching data in literature and herbaria. Current results indicate that the occurrence of galling Cecidomyiidae associated with C. brasiliense extends to 13 Brazilian states, as well as to 11 countries of Neotropical America.