Origin of gall-inducing from leaf-mining in Caloptilia micromoths (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae).

ABSTRACT: In insects, the gall-inducing life-style has evolved independently many times. Several evolutionary pathways leading to this lifestyle have been proposed. While there is compelling evidence supporting surface-feeders and stem-borers as ancestral states of insect gall-inducers, an evolutionary pathway from leaf-miners remains hypothetical. Here we explored this question by comparing the developmental processes of two micromoths, a gall-inducer Caloptilia cecidophora (Lep., Gracillariidae), and its non-gall-inducing relative C. ryukyuensis. Like other Caloptilia, the first and second instars of C. cecidophora are leaf-miners and the gall is initiated inside the leaf mine by the third instar, thus suggesting leaf-mining as an ancestral, plesiomorphic state in this case. This is the first exam

SUBMITTER: Guiguet A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6494848 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature