Vol. 77 (3) 2025
ARTICLES
Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Oviposition Preferences for Leaf Part and Sun Exposure
Marian J. Giertych*1,2 & Edward Baraniak3
More info
*1Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62‑035 Kórnik, Poland; E-mail: giertych@man.poznan.pl
2Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, prof. Z. Szafrana 1, 65‑516 Zielona Góra, Poland
3Department of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6,
61‑614 Poznań, Poland; E-mail: baraniak@amu.edu.pl
Abstract
The horse-chestnut leaf miner has achieved the most spectacular invasion successes in Europe, which still holds many secrets and unsolved questions. The oviposition is especially important for insects whose larvae have very limited mobility. Therefore, this study aimed to test whether oviposition is conditioned by lighting and if the placement of the egg on the leaf determines the success. A sample of 200 horse-chestnut leaves was used, half from the sunny and the other from the shaded part of the crown, the eggs and mines were counted, and the location of the eggs on the leaves was determined. Three locations were distinguished: midrib, lateral vein and lamina. In total, just over 3,000 eggs were detected, with most eggs and mines found on sunlit leaves, on the lamina. As many as 90% of the eggs hatch into larvae inside the leaves, which initiate the development of mines. The most beneficial leaf part to lay eggs is near the midrib, but this place is chosen the least often. The question of why most eggs are laid on sunny leaves, even though the success and performance of the leaf miner is lower, remains unanswered.
Key words
Aesculus hippocastanum L., herbivore, horse-chestnut leaf miner, invasive insect, light conditions, plant-insect interactions
How to Cite
Giertych M. J. & Baraniak E. 2025. Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) Oviposition Preferences for Leaf Part and Sun Exposure. Acta zoologica bulgarica 77 (3): 319-325.
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