Insect galls on Asteraceae in Brazil: richness, geographic distribution, associated fauna, endemism and economic importance

Abstract: An overview of insect galls on Asteraceae in Brazil is presented. We used the Web Science database to find publications about from 1988 2020. analyzed 88 and collected data 51 those. A total 487 gall morphotypes were counted 157 plant species 42 genera. This value singled out as richest family number Brazil. Most recorded Atlantic Forest (41%) Cerrado (30.5%), most surveyed biomes Baccharis L. supported greatest richness (43.9%), which could be explained by hypotheses geographic area taxon size. concinna G.M. Barroso, B. dracunculifolia DC. platypoda indicated superhost species. induced stems (52.2%), a pattern known for gall-inducing Tephritidae Chloropidae, extended present study Cecidomyiidae. fusiform (42.5%), can related highest stems. Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) frequent inducers, observed worldwide. The presence other dwellers - parasitoids, cecidophages, kleptoparasites, successors reported 8.8% morphotypes, being parasitoids frequent, found Brazilian publications. host plants (58%) are endemic Brazil, 14% useful few vulnerable or endangered (six four species, respectively). Due high specificity, gall-inducers associated with these also considered either endemic, important, and/or endangered, respectively.