Objectives: The mechanism underlying the morphological and structural specificity of galls attributable to particular insect species is very little understood. The present study is a fragment of the galls found in the Nilgris and Courtallum Hills in India and the study has offered some interesting results and conclusions.
Methods/Statistical Analysis: A comprehensive study on two leaf galls exhibiting evidently different ontogenetic sequences is attempted in the present investigation.
Findings: We studied histology of maturefoliar galls on two host plants caused by different insect species. The pit-gall on Mallotusphilippensis is simple in structure with homogeneous parenchymatous tissue. The galls on Alstoniascholaris and Magniferaindica are more complex in structure.
Application/Improvements: Cecidological studies gain popularity nowadays as they form the most conspicuous elements of the terrestrial ecosystem. The role of the insect behavior is considered as the major factor in determining the form and structure of the gall that an insect incites.
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