What structural feature unites members of Superorder Sternorrhyncha?
Answer
Mouthparts that are typically inserted deep into plant tissue to reach the phloem
The Superorder Sternorrhyncha groups together various specialized plant parasites, including aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Their shared evolutionary adaptation revolves around their feeding strategy and resulting mouthpart structure. Unlike some other insects, Sternorrhyncha possess mouthparts highly modified for penetration, designed to reach the deep, nutrient-rich vascular tissues of plants, specifically the phloem. This specialized targeting of the phloem confirms their ecological role as dedicated plant circulatory system tappers, a feature shared across the members of this specific superorder.
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