Effect of larval cannibalism on the development and reproductive performance of Agromyza frontella (Rondani) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

In laboratory studies, the authors investigated the effects of cannibalism by the leafminer, A. frontella (Rondani), of different instars on the subsequent development and reproductive performance of survivors. In the 21, 23, and 32 treatments, cannibals completed larval development slightly faster than individuals developing alone in leaflets, although in 32 they suffered higher larval mortality, probably due to wounds incurred during interactions with the larvae they ate. When cannibals successfully eliminated another larva from their leaflet their pupal weights and overall survival were higher than those of individuals developing two/leaflet without cannibalism, suggesting the most significant effect of cannibalism is to reduce exploitation competition by eliminating a competitor.