Episodes in gall midge studies

Abstract

Recently Yukawa & Tokuda (2021) published a Springer book “Biology of Gall Midges” together with their colleagues. This book includes numerous practical, ecological, ethological, evolutionary, and biogeographic data for gall-inducing cecidomyiids based on their field surveys, laboratory experiments, and genetic analysis. In this paper, we describe various episodes that we have experienced during the course of our long-term gall midge studies, which have not previously given to the public. We also emphasize that we have been engaged in two jobs, ecological and taxonomic studies, at the same time. In addition to actual results of research written in the book, we hope readers, particularly young researchers, will be able to drive some inspiration for their future studies from our episodes describing research background, idea, aims, methods, experience at different institutions, and the importance of personal relationships.