Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2015) 9, 75-84

Mélanie Body, Vincent Burlat and David Giron (2015)
Hypermetamorphosis in a leaf-miner allows insects to cope with a confined nutritional space
Arthropod-Plant Interactions 9 (1), 75-84
Abstract: Hypermetamorphosis has been described in several Lepidoptera leaf-miner species (mostly Gracillariidae, Epipyropidae, and Phyllocnistidae) and can be defined as a strong modification of the larval morphology associated with a switch in its feeding mode. Evolution of this larval feeding strategy presumably influences nutritional resources that can be exploited and has strong consequences for plant morphology. The following study focuses on Phyllonorycter blancardella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a leaf-miner developing on Malus domestica. We characterize the morphology of larval mouthparts and the resulting morphological impact on leaf tissues. Our results show that first instars do not strongly affect the leaf anatomy and leave most plant cells intact, while later instars significantly disrupt leaf tissues. Additionally, young larvae are "fluid-feeders" and feed on plant cell fluids resulting from the progression of the larvae through the lower layer of the leaf spongy parenchyma. They occupy a feeding niche clearly distinct from later instars that are "tissue-feeders". Hypermetamorphosis in P. blancardella most likely allows insects to cope with a confined nutritional space by partitioning the limited feeding resources, and may help leaf-miners to optimize their nutrition.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): David Giron

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phyllonorycter blancardella	Apple (Malus)