The number of cecidomyiid insect galls affects the photosynthesis of Machilus thunbergii host leaves

Previous studies of the impacts of galls on host leaf photosynthesis do not suggest any general trends, with a reported range of effects from negative to positive. In this study, photosynthetic characteristics such as chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), photosynthetic capacity, and stomata conductance were determined in two types of fruit-like galls (red ovoid and green obovate galls) induced by Daphnephila taiwanensis and Daphnephila sueyenae, respectively, in order to investigate whether the number of galls affects the photosynthesis of galled leaves of Machilus thunbergii. In 2008, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic capacity were negatively correlated with gall numbers, non-significantly and significantly, respectively, whereas stomata conductance was positively but non-significantly correlated with gall numbers. In 2009, photosynthesis capacity and stomata conductance were negatively, but non-significantly, correlated with gall numbers. Results imply that photosynthesis in M. thunbergii leaves is slightly affected by the number of cecidomyiid insect galls, and that the higher the gall number, the greater the negative effect that galls have on host leaf photosynthesis and subsequent infection.