Leaf mines as visual defensive signals to herbivores

摘要: Leaf-mining insects produce conspicuous and distinct leaf mines on various types of plant leaves. The diversity leaf-mine morphology has typically been explained by several factors, such as selective feeding tissues, improvement microclimate, faecal disposal, reduction in the efficiency parasitoid search behaviour leafminer phylogeny. Although these factors are certainly associated with mining patterns, masking mines, rather than making them conspicuous, appears to be more advantageous for deterring parasitoids predators leafminers. However, here, I propose that prominent may serve signal or cue herbivores avoid mined Because most leafminers sessile complete their development within a single leaf, herbivory leaves is detrimental survival. Other appear consuming variety reasons: mimic variegation mottling; induce chemical physical defences against herbivores; fungal infection, animal excrement, necrosed tissues. Hence, natural selection have favoured because increased survival fecundity thereby reducing