Biology of Gall Midges

This book provides practical ecological, ethological, evolutionary, and biogeographic data for gall-inducing cecidomyiids, their galls and host plants, based on field surveys, laboratory experiments and genetic analysis. It refers to various researches on gall-inducing insects published by a world of biologists. Practical methods of field surveys and data analysis are presented, as well as topics on parasitoids, invasive pests, and beneficial gall midges that would be useful for applied entomologists. Readers can learn an ecological way of thinking through diverse interrelations between insects and plants, and the analysis of ecological data from gall-inducing cecidomyiids.

Galls can be easily observed in the field continuously from early to final stage of the development of galls and gall inducers because of their outstanding features and immobility. It provides important data of the host plant such as phenology, abundance as food resources, and the survival of galled organs. By taking these advantages, many biologists have used galls and gall-inducing insects as highly convenient organisms for a wide range of studies including ecology, ethology, evolution, and biogeography.

The book primarily intends to present the appeal of galls and gall-inducing insects for various biological studies. In particular, gall-inducing cecidomyiids are ideal insects to study ecology and evolution. It helps to open the doors to further cryptic study subjects. Also, integrating various ecological, ethological, evolutionary and biogeographic data as shown in this book can serve to further advance the macroevolutionary studies of insects.

Provides easy-to-follow methods of field surveys and data analysis Presents diverse tri-trophic interrelations among gall midges, their natural enemies and host plants Richly illustrated with fascinating images of cecidomyiid galls showing the diverse shape of galls

Autorentext
Junichi YUKAWA, Emeritus Professor of Kyushu University and Kagoshima University, Ph.D., Honorary Council Member of International Congress of Entomology, Honorary Member of the Entomological Society of Japan, Honorary Member of the Japan Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology.

Makoto TOKUDA, Associate Professor of Saga University, Ph.D., Council Member of the Entomological Society of Japan, Council Member of the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, Editor-in-Chief of Entomological Science.

Zusammenfassung
"The text includes many informative summary tables and brief overviews of key taxa that provide a structured and accessible introduction to gall midge biology, and the text is full of fascinating nuggets. Several of the chapters provide practical recommendations for those interested in working on gall midges. ... this would be a valuable addition to any entomological library and is well worth it for those interested in plant galls." (Graham Stone, Antenna, Vol. 46 (1), 2022)

Inhalt
Taxonomy and phylogeny.- Speciation.- Adaptive radiation.- Diversity and distribution.- Island biogeography.- Life history traits.- Behavior.- Population.- Insect community.- Association with host plants.- Natural enemies with special reference to parasitic wasps.- Invasive species.- Beneficial species.