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Insects and allies associated with bromeliads: a review.
1Entomology & Nematology Dept., University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0630, USA.
Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews
|September 28, 2011
Summary
Bromeliads create unique microhabitats, supporting diverse arthropod communities in their water-filled axils and leaf structures. These plant pools and leaf structures offer essential refugia and breeding grounds for numerous insect and arachnid species.
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Ecology
- Zoology
Background:
- Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are a diverse Neotropical plant family with approximately 2,900 species.
- Many bromeliads possess specialized leaf axils that collect water, forming phytotelmata (plant pools), and also provide dry spaces (terraria).
- These structures create distinct microhabitats supporting a wide array of terrestrial arthropods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the diverse arthropod communities inhabiting bromeliad phytotelmata and terraria.
- To investigate the ecological roles of these arthropods, including detritivory, predation, herbivory, and pollination.
- To highlight the importance of bromeliads as critical habitats, especially during dry seasons.
Main Methods:
- Field observations and collections of arthropods from bromeliad phytotelmata and terraria across various Neotropical regions.
- Identification of arthropod species and assessment of their life stages (larval and adult).
- Analysis of feeding habits and interactions between arthropods and bromeliad plants.
Main Results:
- Phytotelmata host aquatic larvae (primarily Diptera, Coleoptera) and terrestrial arthropods, with hundreds of species acting as detritivores or predators.
- Bromeliad terraria support a broader range of terrestrial arthropods, including many arachnid and insect orders, though fewer specialists.
- Arthropod herbivores (e.g., Coleoptera, Lepidoptera) consume bromeliad tissues, while others contribute to pollination and seed dispersal.
- Bromeliads serve as crucial refugia during dry periods, attracting more visitors than residents.
Conclusions:
- Bromeliads are vital ecological hubs, supporting complex and specialized arthropod communities within their unique microhabitats.
- The relationship between bromeliads and arthropods is multifaceted, involving detritivory, predation, herbivory, and mutualistic interactions like pollination.
- Bromeliad ecosystems are crucial for arthropod biodiversity and survival, particularly in arid conditions, underscoring their importance in Neotropical ecosystems.
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