ArticlePest management science2026
Selective leaf surface defenses: trichomes trap herbivorous leafminers but spare parasitoid wasps.
Article in Pest management science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Comparative evaluation of physical methods for extracting leaf trichomes.Plant methods · 2026Article
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4 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLeafminers [e.g., Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), L. sativae (Blanchard), and Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau)] are globally significant agricultural pests, while their parasitoid wasps [e.g., Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault) and Neochrysocharis formosa (Westhood)] are key agents in biological control programs. Although trichomes are known to act as physical defenses against herbivores, their potential for selective entrapment-targeting pests while sparing natural enemies-has remained underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate whether kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaf trichomes exert species-specific physical effects on leafminers and their parasitoids.
resultsLaboratory assays showed that 30-40% of adult leafminers became entangled and died on the abaxial surface of primary leaves. In contrast, only 1.6-3.3% of parasitoid wasps were similarly affected. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that hook-shaped non-glandular trichomes effectively trapped leafminer legs, ovipositors, and mouthparts, regardless of sex or age. In contrast, parasitoids avoided entrapment, consistent with their markedly thinner legs and smaller body size. Removal of trichomes drastically reduced leafminer attachment but did not reduce and increase parasitoid parasitism efficiency.
conclusionKidney bean plants exhibit a selective physical trapping mechanism that disproportionately affects herbivorous pests while sparing their parasitoid natural enemies. This species-specific interaction, governed by trichome morphology and insect body structure, provides an example of a plant defense trait that is compatible with biological control. These findings highlight the potential for leveraging natural plant defenses to enhance the selectivity and ecological compatibility of integrated pest management programs. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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