The Study on the Ecophysiological Characteristics of Galls Induced by Daphnephila Midges

• Main Authors: Meng-Yuan Huang, 黃盟元
• Other Authors: Yung-Ta Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/27123118282041353101

博士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 生命科學研究所 === 99 === Many insect groups induce plant galls – structures composed of plant tissue within which the insect feeds, which are distinguished from other insect-generated shelters by the fact that they involve active differentiation and growth of plant tissues. Multiple changes in response to gall inducers have been found in host plant tissues. In this study, two types of galls induced by two Daphnephila midge species were focused. Chemical analysis, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser-scanning microscopy and reflectance spectra were used to investigate the ecophysiological characteristics of leaf-derived cecidomyiid galls and their host leaves. The results showed that the insect induced galls derived from infected leaf altered the biosynthetic and degradative pathways of chlorophyll. Based on assumptions of source-sink hypothesis, it suggests that leaf-derived cecidomyiid galls play the role as novel sink in leaves. The data of spectral reflectance revealed the potential of utilizing it as a tool for studying the ecophysiology of galls. The results indicated that galls had abilities and functions to scavenge free radicals effectively for balancing the increase of free radicals in their bodies.