Florivory by the occupants of phytotelmata in flower parts can decrease host plant fecundity.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Plant-insect interactions
• Evolutionary biology

Background:

• Plants can accumulate liquid in inflorescences, creating phytotelmata.
• Phytotelmata offer protection against florivory but can be colonized by aquatic insect larvae.
• The impact of these larvae on plant fitness is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis of floral antagonism by phytotelmata occupants.
• To determine if florivory by insect larvae negatively affects plant fecundity.
• To investigate the trophic effects of specific insect larvae on Heliconia spathocircinata.

Main Methods:

• Experimental manipulation of phytotelmata infestation with three florivore larvae species.
• Assessment of direct trophic effects on the fecundity of flowering and fruiting bracts.
• Observation of foraging behavior and resource exploitation by larvae.

Main Results:

• Hoverfly (Syrphidae) and moth (Lepidoptera) larvae foraging reduced plant fecundity.
• Lepidopteran larvae affected both flowering and fruiting bracts; syrphid larvae affected only fruiting bracts.
• Soldier fly (Stratiomyidae) larvae had a neutral effect on plant fecundity.

Conclusions:

• Herbivory by phytotelmata occupants imposes a cost on host plants.
• The negative impact on plant fecundity depends on resource exploitation by larvae.
• Phytotelmata environments present variable ecological challenges for plant-insect interactions.