Abstract
Feeding dynamics in the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius were analysed to determine the food source. Evidence from previous reports indicates that this species and similar insects feed from the xylem. However, it is not clear whether they extract sap from the main transpiration stream, or from some subsidiary compartment of xylem, such as immature or cavitated vessels. In feeding from such subsidiary compartments, the insects could avoid the large hydraulic tensions thought to prevail in xylem on the main transpiration stream. Philaenus , for example, is shown here to initiate feeding, and to feed rapidly, from plants in which the full xylem tension is estimated at −10 bar. From measurements of feeding rates and feeding patterns in stressed and unstressed plants, it is shown that Philaenus cannot feed from subsidiary xylem compartments. It is concluded that this insect feeds directly from the main transpiration stream, and at the full hydraulic tension which prevails there. The anatomy of the feeding pump in Philaenus appears consistent with this conclusion. Spittlebugs therefore offer an experimental tool for quasi‐ non‐invasive sampling of the transpiration stream.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Philaenus initiated and rapidly sustained feeding from plants at estimated xylem tension of −10 bar.
- Interactor
- plantsViridiplantaee0host
- Outcome
- initiate feeding, and to feed rapidlye0
- Value
- −10 bare0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_Philaenus_spumarius.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“Philaenus , for example, is shown here to initiate feeding, and to feed rapidly, from plants in which the full xylem tension is estimated at −10 bar.”
Claim · model-written summary
Philaenus cannot feed from subsidiary xylem compartments.
- Interactor
- plantsViridiplantaee0host
- Outcome
- cannot feed from subsidiary xylem compartmentse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“From measurements of feeding rates and feeding patterns in stressed and unstressed plants, it is shown that Philaenus cannot feed from subsidiary xylem compartments.”
Claim · model-written summary
The insect feeds directly from the main transpiration stream at its full hydraulic tension.
- Taxon
- Philaenus spumarius
_Philaenus_spumarius.jpg?width=60)
Philaenus spumariust0 - Outcome
- feeds directly from the main transpiration streame0
- Qualifier
- at the full hydraulic tension which prevails theree0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It is concluded that this insect feeds directly from the main transpiration stream, and at the full hydraulic tension which prevails there.”
t0“Philaenus spumarius”
Claim · model-written summary
Feeding-pump anatomy appears consistent with feeding at full transpiration-stream tension.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The anatomy of the feeding pump in Philaenus appears consistent with this conclusion.”
Claim · model-written summary
Spittlebugs offer a tool for quasi-noninvasive sampling of the transpiration stream.
Verbatim
e0“Spittlebugs therefore offer an experimental tool for quasi‐ non‐invasive sampling of the transpiration stream.”