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<p>Leaf mesophyll traits influence the architecture and mechanical properties of plant tissue and are often assumed to shape plant–herbivore interactions. For example, homobaric leaves have a relatively continuous mesophyll, whereas heterobaric leaves possess vascular bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) that partition the mesophyll into discrete compartments, thereby increasing structural heterogeneity. Based on this contrast, we hypothesized that heterobaric leaves could impose a mechanical barrier to leafminer caterpillars, potentially raising foraging costs and causing immediate, effort-related changes in chewing behavior. To test this, we compared the feeding behavior of tomato pinworm caterpillars, <i>Phthorimaea absoluta</i> (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), using <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> wild-type (WT) tomato and isogenic lines harboring the <i>obscuravenosa</i> (<i>obv</i>) mutation. These tomato isolines differ in mesophyll architecture by the presence (heterobaric, WT) or absence (homobaric, <i>obv</i>) of vascular BSEs. Larval feeding activity was recorded using synchronized high-resolution video and laser Doppler vibrometry. The resulting vibratory output was used as a proxy for mandibular closure events, allowing quantification of fine-scale temporal and spectral features of feeding activity. Contrary to our predictions, mesophyll architecture did not appear to influence larval chewing motor patterns, as no differences were detected in event duration, dominant frequency, amplitude, or mandibular rhythm. These results suggest that larval chewing motor control is remarkably robust and largely insensitive to this specific type of substrate variation, possibly reflecting biomechanical or behavioral adaptations in tomato pinworm that maintain feeding efficiency across structurally heterogeneous tissues. From an applied perspective, the lack of an immediate biomechanical cost indicates that management strategies that rely solely on modifying mesophyll traits are unlikely, on their own, to deter this specialized pest. These points highlight the need to integrate anatomical traits with other plant defense mechanisms for effective pest management.</p>

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Chewing rhythms in larvae of the tomato pinworm (Phthorimaea (= Tuta) absoluta) are not altered by leaf mesophyll architecture

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Diego S. Souza,
  • Raul Narciso C. Guedes,
  • Agustin Zsögön,
  • Leonardo M. Turchen

摘要

Leaf mesophyll traits influence the architecture and mechanical properties of plant tissue and are often assumed to shape plant–herbivore interactions. For example, homobaric leaves have a relatively continuous mesophyll, whereas heterobaric leaves possess vascular bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) that partition the mesophyll into discrete compartments, thereby increasing structural heterogeneity. Based on this contrast, we hypothesized that heterobaric leaves could impose a mechanical barrier to leafminer caterpillars, potentially raising foraging costs and causing immediate, effort-related changes in chewing behavior. To test this, we compared the feeding behavior of tomato pinworm caterpillars, Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), using Solanum lycopersicum wild-type (WT) tomato and isogenic lines harboring the obscuravenosa (obv) mutation. These tomato isolines differ in mesophyll architecture by the presence (heterobaric, WT) or absence (homobaric, obv) of vascular BSEs. Larval feeding activity was recorded using synchronized high-resolution video and laser Doppler vibrometry. The resulting vibratory output was used as a proxy for mandibular closure events, allowing quantification of fine-scale temporal and spectral features of feeding activity. Contrary to our predictions, mesophyll architecture did not appear to influence larval chewing motor patterns, as no differences were detected in event duration, dominant frequency, amplitude, or mandibular rhythm. These results suggest that larval chewing motor control is remarkably robust and largely insensitive to this specific type of substrate variation, possibly reflecting biomechanical or behavioral adaptations in tomato pinworm that maintain feeding efficiency across structurally heterogeneous tissues. From an applied perspective, the lack of an immediate biomechanical cost indicates that management strategies that rely solely on modifying mesophyll traits are unlikely, on their own, to deter this specialized pest. These points highlight the need to integrate anatomical traits with other plant defense mechanisms for effective pest management.