Which family is associated with galls on plants?

Which family is associated with galls on plants?

• A. Cynipidae
• B. Ichneumonidae
• C. Mutillidae
• D. Siricidae

Answer: (A)

Galls on plants are caused by insects that manipulate plant tissue to form protective structures for their developing larvae. The group most famously associated with this is the Cynipidae, the gall wasps. Females lay eggs in plant tissue and secrete chemicals that trigger localized cell growth and differentiation, creating a gall that serves as both food and shelter for the larva inside. The other families listed aren’t known for inducing galls: Ichneumonidae are mainly parasitoids of other insects, Mutillidae are velvet ants that are also parasitoids or predators, and Siricidae (horntails) bore into wood rather than causing abnormal growths on living plant tissues.

Galls on plants are caused by insects that manipulate plant tissue to form protective structures for their developing larvae. The group most famously associated with this is the Cynipidae, the gall wasps. Females lay eggs in plant tissue and secrete chemicals that trigger localized cell growth and differentiation, creating a gall that serves as both food and shelter for the larva inside. The other families listed aren’t known for inducing galls: Ichneumonidae are mainly parasitoids of other insects, Mutillidae are velvet ants that are also parasitoids or predators, and Siricidae (horntails) bore into wood rather than causing abnormal growths on living plant tissues.