Effects of seasonality and the size of host plants on abundance of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) galls on Piper arboreum (Piperaceae)

Effects of seasonality and the size of host plants on abundance of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) galls on Piper arboreum (Piperaceae). The objective of this work was to verify the effects of seasonality and the size of host plants on occurrence of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) galls on Piper arboreum (Piperaceae). This study was carried out monthly, from September, 2006 to August, 2007, in a remnant area of Semidecidual Forest in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. In each survey, 10 individuals of the host plant were chosen randomly, and the height, the total number of leaves, the number of leaves with galls and the number of galls per leaves were estimated. The abundance of galls varied significantly during the study period, being the greatest abundance found at the beginning of the rainy season. The height of the host plant and number of leaves per individual were also positively and significantly related to the abundance of galls, since larger plants offer greater availability of resources and sites of breeding. The results of this study suggest that the seasonality may be decisive in the abundance of galls as well as the architectural patterns of the host plant. The seasonal changes can directly influence the development of the host plant and thus alter the quantity and quality of nutrients offered to insects galling.