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Effects of herbivory by chrysomelid beetles on the growth and survival of Rumex plants
Author(s) -
Suzuki Nobuhiko
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1007/bf02348456
Subject(s) - guild , rumex , herbivore , biology , polygonaceae , phenology , host (biology) , botany , plant ecology , ecology , habitat
Abstract The effects of herbivory by the guild of chrysomelid beetles on the growth and survival of Rumex plants were examined in relation to the distribution and size of the plants. Gastrophysa atrocyanea never appeared on solitary plants whereas Mantula clavareaui showed even utilization of solitary and clumped plants. Galerucella vittaticollis utilized large solitary plants most frequently. In patches of the host plants, the frequency of withering of the aerial parts was higher on small plants. The regrowth rate was higher when the aerial parts withered in spring than in summer. In patches of the host plants, the regrowth rate was higher on small plants. On the other hand, it was lower on small solitary plants than on large solitary plants and small plants in patches. In large plants, no difference in survival rate was recognized between solitary and clumped plants, because both the frequency of withering of the aerial parts and the regrowth rate were lower in clumped than solitary plants. The high vigor against intense herbivory by the chrysomelid beetles brought on the delay in the phenology of Rumex plants. This shift permits in parts the existence of G. vittaticollis in mid summer. The temporal and spatial interactions between herbivore guild and the host plants were discussed.