Studies on insects causing galls on the leaves of pedunculate oak Quercus robur in southern Poland†,‡

Abstract

Analytical studies concerning the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of Quercus robur L. were conducted in 2000 in three localities: near an urban agglomeration of Kraków – the Wolski Forest, in a protected area – the Ojców National Park and in a managed forest – the Andrychów Forest District. In each of the selected localities 2000 leaves (a total of 6000 leaves) were randomly collected. A total of 2246 galls, including 1028 in the Andrychhów FD, were found. The galls represented 12 insect species. The species composition of galls in the Ojców NP (11 species) distinctly differed from those of the remaining two areas (7 species each). Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (L.) ♀♀ was the most abundant species in the managed forest. The index of occurrence frequency and the Agrell’s index of species co-existence have been calculated. The frequency of gall occurrence varied considerably in the investigated localities. On the basis of the Agrell’s index of species co-existence it was shown that the strongest bond existed between Neuroterus laeviusculus Schenck ♀♀ and Andricus ostrea (Hartig) ♀♀ in the managed forest.