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Petal herbivory by chrysomelid beetles ( Phyllotreta sp.) is detrimental to pollination and seed production in Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae)
Author(s) -
LEAVITT HOLLIE,
ROBERTSON IAN C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.2006.00820.x
Subject(s) - biology , pollination , petal , pollinator , brassicaceae , botany , insect , hand pollination , herbivore , pollen
1. Insect herbivory directed at flowers can decrease fruit and seed production by decreasing the attractiveness of a damaged flower to potential pollinators, by disrupting the transfer of pollen between pollinators and stigmas, or both. 2. Effects of petal herbivory by a chrysomelid beetle ( Phyllotreta sp.) on pollination and seed production in Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae) were examined. 3. Under natural conditions, flowers with a hole chewed in a petal produced fruit and seed at a significantly lower rate than undamaged flowers (44% vs. 80% respectively). However, when damaged and undamaged flowers were hand pollinated, there was no significant difference in fruit or seed set (84% vs. 80% respectively). 4. Petal herbivory in L. papilliferum disrupts the effectiveness of insect‐mediated pollination, but it does not physically inhibit pollination or seed production.