Here I present basic research questions which are to be answered during my research project. The project aims to deal with ecological issues connected with two gall midge species (Mikiola fagi and Hartigiola annulipes) and ecology of their parasitoids.

1. Ecology of Mikiola fagi
and Hartigiola annulipes
Sebastian Pilichowski
Faculty of Biological Sciences
University of Zielona Góra
http://www.pflanzengallen.de/gallen/bilder/0343-fagus7opt.jpg https://swiatmakrodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/120.jpg

2. Research hypotheses 1
1) Galls develop in the proximal zone of leaves.
2) Galls develop on the most sunlit side of trees.
3) Gall-inducing success and survival rates within
individual tree crown depend on the number of
females competing for the beech leaves.

3. Research hypotheses 2
4) Due to exclusion of parasitism, the number of
maturing galls is greater, regardless of the number
of laid eggs.
5.1) The same species of parasitoids parasite galls of
both species - M. fagi and H. annulipes.
5.2) Different defense strategies of the galls do not
limit the activity of parasitoids which attack both
species equally.

4. Research
1. Field study.
2. Experimental study.

5. Analyses
1. Distribution on the leaf blade and in the crown;
ecology of parasitoids.
2. Chemical analyses.
3. Statistical analyses (JMP software).
Hartigiola annulipes and Mikiola fagi and their galls on the leaves of the European common
beech (Fagus sylvatica) – impact on the host plant, ecology of distribution and parasitoids.

6. Analyses
1. Distribution on the leaf blade and in the crown;
ecology of parasitoids.
2. Chemical analyses.
3. Statistical analyses (JMP software).
Hartigiola annulipes and Mikiola fagi and their galls on the leaves of the European common
beech (Fagus sylvatica) – impact on the host plant, ecology of distribution and parasitoids.