Cecidiology

/ˌsɛsɪdiˈɒlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The branch of entomology and botany that studies plant galls and other abnormal growths caused by insects, mites, fungi, and bacteria.

Etymology

From cecidium plus -logy (Greek -logos meaning 'study'); cecidium itself from Latin caecus meaning 'blind', referring to the enclosed pockets in galls.

Kelly Says

Plant galls are absolutely mind-bending—certain insects can trigger a plant to wrap itself around them with specialized tissues that become better nutrition than the surrounding plant, proving that these tiny creatures are incredibly skilled manipulators of plant chemistry.

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