What is the term for a water-filled cavity in a plant, such as a bromeliad leaf, that houses insect larvae? The answer is phytotelma.
A phytotelma is a small water-filled cavity held by a terrestrial plant. These miniature aquatic habitats can occur in bromeliad leaf axils, tree hollows, bamboo internodes, flower bracts, and carnivorous plant pitchers.
The collected water supports small ecological communities. Insects and other organisms may use it for breeding, feeding, shelter, or development. Mosquitoes and other insect larvae commonly inhabit bromeliad tanks.
The plural form is phytotelmata. “Bromeliad tank” describes one specific type of phytotelma, while “tree hole” and “carnivorous plant pitcher” describe other examples. Therefore, the general singular term required by the question is phytotelma.