Tk. Philips et al., LEAF MINING AND GRAZING IN SPIDER BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, ANOBIIDAE, PTININAE) - AN UNREPORTED MODE OF LARVAL AND ADULT FEEDING IN THE BOSTRICHOIDEA, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 100(1), 1998, pp. 147-153
The first larval leaf mining and live-leaf feeding by adults is report
ed in the Anobiidae and the more inclusive superfamily Bostrichoidea.
Larvae of Pitnus antillanus Belles bore in leaves of Tournefortia gnap
halodes (L.) (Boraginaceae) and adults feed on leaves of the larval ho
st plant. Larvae complete their development and pupation within a sing
le leaf. It is suggested that leaf mining is a recently derived trait
in Pitnus.