The behaviour of lepidopteran miners while feeding and dispersing

I. V. Ermolaev

Botanic Garden Institute, Ural Branch of RAS
March 8 st., 202a, Ekaterinburg, 620130 Russia
E-mail: ermolaev-i@yandex.ru

The trophic specialization of lepidopteran miners is associated with the life form (tree–bush–grass) and place of mining (upper or lower side of the leaf) of the host plant. Narrow specialization of miners at the level of plant genera determines the high efficiency of food consumption. The small size of miners limits the potential fertility of the species (compared to other lepidopterans) and the independent migratory activity of adults. The oviposition of one egg predominates. This behaviour of females ensures maximum distribution of offspring in space and reduces intraspecific competition of caterpillars.