Where are eggs of the native holly leafminer laid?

Where are eggs of the native holly leafminer laid?

• A. Inserted into the underside of newly formed leaves.
• B. On the upper surface of mature leaves.
• C. In the soil at the base of the plant.
• D. Inside stems of the plant.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that holly leafminer lays eggs inside leaf tissue on new growth, specifically on the underside of newly formed leaves. Females insert eggs into the leaf tissue with a small ovipositor, and when they hatch, the larvae begin feeding inside the leaf, creating the characteristic mines. This underside placement on new leaves provides easy access to soft, developing tissue and helps conceal the eggs from sun and drying conditions as the leaf is forming. Therefore, this is the best description: eggs are inserted into the underside of newly formed leaves. Eggs laid on the upper surface of mature leaves, in the soil at the base, or inside stems do not fit the leafminer’s habit of targeting new leaf tissue and feeding within the leaf itself.

The key idea is that holly leafminer lays eggs inside leaf tissue on new growth, specifically on the underside of newly formed leaves. Females insert eggs into the leaf tissue with a small ovipositor, and when they hatch, the larvae begin feeding inside the leaf, creating the characteristic mines. This underside placement on new leaves provides easy access to soft, developing tissue and helps conceal the eggs from sun and drying conditions as the leaf is forming.

Therefore, this is the best description: eggs are inserted into the underside of newly formed leaves. Eggs laid on the upper surface of mature leaves, in the soil at the base, or inside stems do not fit the leafminer’s habit of targeting new leaf tissue and feeding within the leaf itself.