Leaf morpho‐anatomical traits as bottom‐up modulators of plant–arthropod interactions: a meta‐analytic synthesis
Diego S Souza, Leonardo M Turchen, Antonia Karine M Fernandes, Vinícius F dos Santos, Agustin Zsögön, Raul Narciso C GuedesAbstract
BACKGROUND
Morpho‐anatomical leaf traits play a central role in the bottom‐up modulation of plant–arthropod interactions, influencing herbivore preference, feeding, and overall performance. Yet, inconsistent findings across studies prevent broader generalizations regarding the contribution of these traits to plant resistance. Here, following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic and meta‐analytic synthesis of nearly nine decades of publications retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases.
RESULTS
Successive screening steps yielded 123 articles for qualitative evaluation and 43 articles for quantitative synthesis. Taxonomic, experimental, and performance‐related variables were extracted, and effect sizes (Hedges' g ) were estimated using random‐effects models. Meta‐analyses indicated that internal anatomical traits, particularly epidermal and palisade tissue thickness, significantly reduce herbivore preference and feeding. Meta‐regressions further showed that increased expression of these traits prolongs development and reduces survival. For surface structures such as trichomes, consistent patterns emerged in meta‐regressions, revealing reductions in feeding and reproduction. Increased cuticular roughness reduced host plant preference, whereas leaf shape and size exhibited no detectable effects on arthropod performance.
CONCLUSION
Collectively, these results highlight leaf structural traits as effective physical modulators in trophic interactions. Although current evidence is biased toward external features, the identified relationships point to promising targets for breeding insect‐resistant crops, particularly increased tissue thickness and surface roughness. These findings also support ecological pest management strategies that promote plant phenotypes that reduce herbivore performance and thereby lower reliance on chemical control. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.