Five new species of Asphondylia (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Asphondyliini) from Brazilian restinga (Atlantic Forest)

Abstract

Asphondylia braziliensis sp. nov., Asphondylia fluminensis sp. nov., Asphondylia marambaiensis sp. nov., Asphondylia varroniae sp. nov., and Asphondylia xerezi sp. nov., are described based on material from Brazilian restingas. The first species induces galls on Struthanthus acuminatus (Ruiz. & Pav.) Kuijt (Loranthaceae), the second on Erythroxylum ovalifolium Peyr (Erythroxylaceae), the third on Lantana fucata Lindl. (Verbenaceae), the fourth on Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Cordiaceae), and the fifth on Heliotropium sp. (Heliotropiaceae). One host plant, Erythroxylum ovalifolium, is endemic to the Atlantic forest. The other plant species are native to Brazil. Illustrations of relevant morphological characters are provided. The new species are compared with congeneric Neotropical species. Types are deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.