Elucidation of molecular mechanisms involved in Pistacia-aphid gall development

Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima is well known for formation of galls on leaves and petioles. These galls are horn shaped formed due to insect attack of Pemphigus species which follows two year life cycle. In recent years the gall formation has beendrastically reduced due to various factors such as use of pesticides, human intervention on and climatic changes. Therefore this study was undertaken to understand the molecular mechanism involved in gall development.

全缘叶黄连木（Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima）以在叶片与叶柄上形成虫瘿而广为人知。此类角状虫瘿由瘿绵蚜属（Pemphigus）物种的昆虫侵袭诱发，该蚜虫的生命周期为两年。近年来，受农药施用、人为干预及气候变化等多种因素影响，虫瘿的形成量已大幅减少。因此本研究旨在阐明虫瘿发育所涉及的分子机制。