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Title: GALL-INDUCING COLEOPTERA

Author
item KOROTYAEV, B - ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
item Konstantinov, Alexander - Alex
item Lingafelter, Steven
item MANDELSHTAM, M - ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
item VOLKOVITSH, M - ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2003
Publication Date: 3/5/2005
Citation: Korotyaev, B.A., Konstantinov, A.S., Lingafelter, S.W., Mandelshtam, M.Y., Volkovitsh, M.G. 2005. Gall-inducing Coleoptera. Book Chapter. 1:239-271

Interpretive Summary: Galls represent a harmful effect to vegetation caused by the development of an insect within the living tissue. This gall formation can weaken and kill the plant, and as such, the study of insects that induce gall formation is very important to agriculture and forestry. While gall inducing insects are widely known outside the order of beetles, within beetles there are rather limited observations of this phenomenon. This book chapter summarizes records of gall forming species of beetles. These records are known only from the families of weevils, woodborers, and leaf beetles. For each of these groups of beetles, summaries of the species involved, their plant hosts, and their effects, along with all relevant literature are provided. This information will be useful to farmers, foresters, gardeners, and agricultural entomologists.

Technical Abstract: A general discussion of gall formation in plants induced by development of Coleoptera (beetles) is presented. All the known taxa of beetles that induce gall formation are listed. Discussion mostly focusses on individual species (over 70), but also higher taxa where gall inducing biologies are widespread. Nearly all species are members of Phytophaga, including the superfamilies Curculionoidea (Curculionidae) and Chrysomeloidea (Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae), but also are represented by Buprestoidea (Buprestidae). The two examples of gall formation outside these superfamilies (Nitidulidae and Mordellidae) are also mentioned.