Reduction of Tomato Leaflet Photosynthesis Rates by Mining Activity of Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Abstract
Effects of mining activities of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard on leaf conductance and photosynthesis rates of tomato leaflets were examined in the field. Photosynthesis rates in mined tissues were reduced 62% compared with rates in unmined leaflets. A negative linear correlation was found between the percentage of mining in a leaflet and photosynthesis and stomatal conductance rates in the unmined tissues. Effects of L. sativae mining upon leaflet photosynthesis were not isolated to mined areas alone, and low levels of mining activity greatly reduced leaflet photosynthesis.