To gain further insite into an intriguing interaction between gall midges, microfungi lining the larval chamber, and salt tolerant plants, chenopods.
I've done some work on a few species of Sarcocornia and Sclerostegia near Melbourne, Victoria. Speciation amongst the gall-midges and the plants is high, often quite specific relationships as well. However, the fungus in the larval chambers appears to be the same worldwide, which is a little curious. Thus far, the few sites near Auckland I've looked at Sarcocornia doesn't appear to have any galls. This is also of interest! less ↑