Abstract

Inflorescence stalk herbivory on the Mule Ear orchid (Trichocentrum undulatum) has been observed in Cuba, which resembles the specialized herbivory interaction seen in southern Florida between a specialized dipteran, Melanagromyza miamensis (Agromyzidae) and the Mule Ear orchid. We are able to identify the inflorescence herbivore to be the genus Melanagromyza. It is possibly the same species that can be found in southern Florida. The mule-ear orchid is endemic to the Caribbean region, i.e. Cuba, Jamaica and southern Florida. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an apparently specialized inflorescence stalk herbivory by Agromyzid flies on the Mule Ear orchid in Cuba. The herbivory can partially or completely destroy the flowering potential of the impacted plants.

Details

Title
Specialized herbivore on inflorescence stalks of Trichocentrum undulatum (Orchidaceae) by Melanagromyza sp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Cuba
Author
Borrero, Haydee; Alvarez, Julio C; Prieto, Ramona O; Liu, Hong
Section
Articles
Publication year
2018
Publication date
2018
Publisher
Universidad de Costa Rica
ISSN
14093871
e-ISSN
22152067
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2551281088
Copyright
© 2018. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/cr/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.