We investigate the local and regional determinants of galling insect richness on the dioecious shrub Baccharis concinna Barroso (Asteraceae) in the southeastern portion of the Espinhaço Mountains in Brazil. The total number of galling species and the richness of galling Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) were influenced by plant gender. Male plants supported a higher richness of galling insects than female plants, supporting the hypothesis of sex-biased herbivory at the community level. The total number of galling species and the richness of galling cecidomyiids showed a peak at intermediate altitudes. The richness of all galling species and galling cecidomyiids were strongly influenced by habitat. Plants in xeric habitats supported more galling species than plants in mesic habitats, corroborating the hypothesis of hygrothermal/nutritional stress. Our results indicate that local factors may be the most important factors structuring the galling insect community on B. concinna.
Altitudinal gradient; Baccharis concinna; diversity; ecological community; herbivore
