Occurrence and characterization of entomogenous galls in a seasonal semideciduous forest area in Goiania, Goias, Brazil

(Occurrence and characterization of entomogenous galls in a seasonal semideciduous forest area in Goiania, Goias, Brazil). In an area of seasonal semideciduous forest situated on Campus Samambaia of the Universidade Federal de Goias in Goiania, Goias 34 types of insect galls were collected during the period 2005-2007. The galls occurred in 20 species of plants from 12 families. with Leguminosae (9). Styracaceae (6) and Ulmaceae (4) having the greatest number of gall morphotypes. Leaf and stem galls were the most widespread. Concerning gall morphology, the following were collected: globoid, discoidal, ellipsoidal, cylindrical and conical. The colour varied from green to yellow, brown and red. The galls were isolated or grouped and glabrous or pilose. The principal inducers were Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) and the parasitoids found were of the families Eulophidae. Torymidae, Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera). This is the first report of galls in four species of host plants for the Neotropical region.