Kasvinsyöpy

Kasvinsyöpy, also known as plant galling, is a phenomenon where plants develop abnormal growths called galls. These galls are typically caused by the feeding or egg-laying of insects, mites, nematodes, or by the infection of fungi, bacteria, or viruses. The plant's tissues respond to the stimulus by growing in a disorganized manner, creating a structure that often encloses and protects the organism responsible for its formation.

The appearance of galls can vary widely depending on the plant species, the causative agent, and the specific plant part affected. They can be spherical, irregular, spike-like, or even feathery. Galls can occur on leaves, stems, roots, flowers, or fruits. While galls are a common occurrence in the plant kingdom and rarely cause significant harm to the overall health of a mature plant, they can sometimes lead to reduced vigor or yield in young or heavily infested individuals.

The biological purpose of gall formation for the plant is not fully understood, but it is thought to be an abnormal reaction to foreign stimuli. For the gall-forming organism, the gall provides a protected environment for feeding, development, and overwintering. Many insects that form galls have highly specific host plant requirements, meaning a particular insect will only induce galls on a certain type of plant. This specificity makes gall-inducing organisms important subjects of study in entomology and plant pathology.