Structural modification of Quercus petraea leaf caused by Cynips quercusfolii – histological study of galls

[摘要] Galls formed by the interaction of insects on plant tissues are an example of the unusual transformation and use of plants by insects. The aim of this study was to characterize the structure of galls formed by Cynips quercusfolii L. on sessile oak leaves. In the structure of galls, we distinguished the following: (1) the protective ‘first contact zone’ created by epidermal and sub-epidermal sclerenchyma rings, (2) the wide parenchymatous ring, (3) the internal protective zone created by the sclerenchyma ring, and (4) the nutritional zone consisting of cells filled with amyloplasts containing starch. A characteristic for galls in the development stage is the centripetal starch gradient in which starch accumulates in a ‘ring of amyloplasts’ in the larval chamber.

[学科分类] 纳米科学和纳米技术

[关键词] Sessile oak;oak gall wasp;anatomy;starch