What is the sole sustenance extracted by all woolly aphids using their specialized mouthparts?
Answer
Phloem sap
Every species within the woolly aphid subfamily *Eriosomatinae* relies exclusively on extracting phloem sap for survival. Phloem sap is the sugary, nutrient-rich fluid transported throughout the plant via the phloem, which is the vascular tissue responsible for moving photosynthetic products. The aphids utilize highly adapted, piercing-sucking mouthparts to tap directly into this internal plumbing system to draw out this essential source of sustenance, making it the universal dietary requirement for these insects.
Related Questions
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