Plant-sucking bugs can remove the contents of cells without mechanical damage

Summary A mirid and a coreid, feeding on a variety of plant tissues, evacuated the contents of cells up to 3.5 mm from the furthest penetration of their mouthparts. A pectinase occurred in the salivary glands of the mirid and an invertase in those of the coreid, but not vice versa. Cells in the mirid lesions were apparently emptied while the walls retained their shape, whereas coreid lesions showed an immediate inward collapse of cell walls and engorgement of intercellular spaces.14 October 1986Work based on the Biology Department of the University of Papua New Guinea, to which I am grateful for provision of facilities. I am especially grateful to Dr Elaine Brough for arranging the contacts and visits that made field observations and collection of materials possible.