Insect-induced galls in plants represent highly regulated growth manifestations in response to insect feeding or egg-laying. Physiological changes and signal-activated reactions in plants result in the expression of galls that serve the nutritional and shelter needs of the inducing insect. Variations in differentiation patterns occur in galls induced by insects of different taxonomic groups. The fascinating diversity of gall-inducing insects and their galls has attracted the attention of many researchers. In some instances, plants suffer extensive damage affecting their performance and productivity and even experience death. Keeping these aspects in mind the present volume highlights the current situation of gall-inducing arthropods on forest trees in India, a reassessment in terms of their status, associated natural enemies, and spread to other related and unrelated plants, particularly forest tree species. The chapters provide insights into the interactions of some of the gall-inducing insect species with trees.
1. What physiological plant pathology can teach us?
2. Gall aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and aphid galls in India - Present scenario and future actions
3. Molecular basis of rice-gall midge interactions
4. Advanced Biochemical studies on some tree galls of semi-arid lands of North India
5. Transcriptome analysis of the gall pest, Leptocybe invasa and development of a multigene targeting hairpin RNAi construct for incorporating tolerance in Eucalyptus
6. Gall-inducing Thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) of North East India
7. Plant Galls: Hitherto untapped focus on positive approach
8. Resurgence of Eucalyptus gall wasp and its management strategies
9. Establishment of Eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa (Fisher and La Selle) and its effect upon Eucalyptus plantation in Tamilnadu