A newly described gall midge (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on medicinal Solidago chilensis Meyen in Paraná, Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.042Keywords:
Asteraceae, Pupal exuvia, Flower galls, Micro-computed tomography (µCT)Abstract
The Brazilian arnica Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in ethnopharmacology for trauma treatment, is widely distributed across South America, including all regions of Brazil. This study aimed to identify and characterize gall-inducing insects associated with fused S. chilensis flowers. Flower branches were collected twice in March 2023 from Paraná, Brazil. The branches were dried and examined under a stereomicroscope, with galls subjected to micro-computed tomography (µCT). In the second collection, fresh branches were examined for the morphological characterization of floral heads. Galled flowers were removed and divided into three groups: 1) placed in an emergence chamber to obtain adults, 2) dissected to extract larvae and pupae, and 3) fixed in ethanol for µCT analysis. Macroscopic examination revealed two flower types for S. chilensis: hermaphroditic disc flowers (fused or non-fused) and ray flowers (ligulate). The gall-inducing insect was identified as Asphondylia paranaensis sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a new species, and was described and illustrated based on its larval, pupal, male, female, and gall morphologies. The µCT provided novel insights into the pupal stage, and exuvia within the flower. This study highlights the importance of identifying new species, particularly medicinal plants, because gall-inducing insects may alter a plant’s metabolism and chemical composition, potentially influencing its biological properties. Further studies are required to assess the ecological and pharmacological effects of these interactions.
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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Grant numbers Pharmaco Process - 88887.507109/2020-00
