You are studying an insect related to aphids that feeds on plant sap.This insect bores a hole in the plant until it can feed using an appendage on its front legs called a "spile." What specific plant structure does the spile bore into?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The appendage on the front legs of the insect, referred to as a "spile," suggests that it is using a specialized structure to extract plant sap. Sieve tube elements are structures in the phloem that transport sugars and other solutes throughout the plant. Aphids, for example, are known to feed specifically on sieve tube elements. Therefore, it is likely that the insect being studied is similarly piercing the sieve tube elements using its spile to extract plant sap.

You Are Studying an Insect Related to Aphids That Feeds