Vein-Cutting Behavior: Insect Counterploy to the Latex Defense of Plants

David E. Dussourd; Thomas Eisner

doi:10.1126/science.3616620

journal article Aug 21, 1987

Vein-Cutting Behavior: Insect Counterploy to the Latex Defense of Plants

David E. Dussourd Thomas Eisner

Science Vol. 237 No. 4817 pp. 898-901 · American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

View at Publisher Save 10.1126/science.3616620

Abstract

Many mandibulate insects that feed on milkweeds, or other latex-producing plants, cut leaf veins before feeding distal to the cuts. Vein cutting blocks latex flow to intended feeding sites and can be viewed as an insect counteradaptation to the plant's defensive secretion. Experimental vein severance renders milkweed leaves edible to generalist herbivores that do not show vein-cutting behaviors and ordinarily ignore milkweeds in nature.

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Details

Published: Aug 21, 1987
Vol/Issue: 237(4817)
Pages: 898-901

Authors

D

David E. Dussourd

Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

T

Thomas Eisner

Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Cite This Article

David E. Dussourd, Thomas Eisner (1987). Vein-Cutting Behavior: Insect Counterploy to the Latex Defense of Plants. Science, 237(4817), 898-901. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3616620

Vein-Cutting Behavior: Insect Counterploy to the Latex Defense of Plants

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