Difference between revisions of "Ecological Entomology (2010) 35, 594-601"

Latest revision as of 19:24, 18 May 2020

María S. Fenoglio, Adriana Salvo, Martín Videla and Graciela R. Valladares (2010)
Plant patch structure modifies parasitoid assemblage richness of a specialist herbivore
Ecological Entomology 35 (5), 594-601
Abstract: 1. The spatial structure of plant patches has been shown to affect host-parasitoid interactions, but its influence on parasitoid diversity remains largely ignored. Here we tested the prediction that parasitoid species richness of the specialist leafminer Liriomyza commelinae increases in larger and less isolated patches of its host plant Commelina erecta. We also explored whether parasitoid abundance and body size affected the occurrence of parasitoid species in local assemblages.
2. A total of 893 naturally established C. erecta patches were sampled on 18 sites around Córdoba city (Argentina). Also, two experiments were performed by creating patches differing in the number of plants and the distance from a parasitoid source. For these tests, plants were infected with the miner in the laboratory prior to placement in the field.
3. Plant patch size, independently of host abundance, positively affected the number of parasitoid species in both survey observations and experimental data. However, plant patch isolation did not influence parasitoid species richness.
4. The probability of finding rare parasitoid species increased with patch size, whereas occupation of isolated patches was independent of dispersal abilities (body size) of parasitoid species.
5. Overall, the results highlight the importance of considering spatial aspects such as the size of plant patches in the study of parasitoid communities.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): María S. Fenoglio, Graciela R. Valladares, Adriana Salvo

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

Pest and/or beneficial records: