What is a gall?
Q: What is a gall?
A: A gall is a growth on the surface of plants and other lifeforms caused by parasites such as fungi, bacteria, insects, and mites.
Q: How are plant galls similar to benign tumors or warts in animals?
A: Plant galls are abnormal growths of plant tissues that are similar to benign tumors or warts in animals.
Q: Can the cause of a plant gall be known without the actual agent being there?
A: Yes, the cause of a plant gall can often be known without the actual agent being there as many types of gall have typical structures.
Q: What is the role of insect galls on plants for herbivorous insects?
A: Insect galls on plants give some herbivorous insects their own microhabitat which is plant tissue that is controlled by the insect.
Q: What is the habitat and food source for the maker of the gall?
A: The gall is the habitat and food source for the maker of the gall because it may contain nutritious starch and other tissues.
Q: How do insect galls protect insects from predators?
A: Insect galls often give the insect physical protection from predators.
Q: How do insects induce galls on plants?
A: Insects induce galls on plants by injecting chemicals into the plants, and in order to form galls, they must seize the time when plant cell division occurs quickly, usually in the growing season which is longer in the tropics.
