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Limiting the success of stem borers ( Prodoxus quinquepunctellus ) in yuccas: indirect effects of ants, aphids, and fruit position
Author(s) -
SNELL R. S.,
ADDICOTT J. F.
Publication year - 2008
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.1365-2311.2007.00946.x
Subject(s) - biology , stalk , larva , mutualism (biology) , yucca , pollinator , limiting , botany , horticulture , agronomy , pollination , ecology , pollen , mechanical engineering , engineering
1. Although the moth–yucca mutualism is often studied as a pairwise interaction, yucca plants are also the sole host for a variety of other visitors. One of these additional visitors is a stem‐boring moth, Prodoxus quinquepunctellus. 2. In this study, it is shown how the reproductive success of Prodoxus indirectly depends on the interactions between yuccas and their pollinators ( Tegeticula , Prodoxidae) as well as the indirect effects of ants and aphids. 3. Aggressive wood ants foraging on yuccas will attack adult Prodoxus moths while attempting to oviposit. This reduces the number of eggs laid in yucca stalks, leading to fewer larvae feeding in the stalks. 4. Once in the stalk, the survival of Prodoxus eggs/larvae depends upon the rate at which the flowering stalks dry out during fruit maturation. Portions of the stalk above the highest fruit dry out quickly and survivorship approaches zero in these dry sections, while larvae in green sections of the flowering stalk have significantly higher survival rates. The presence of aphids feeding on the stalk slows down the rate of stalk drying and could lead to increased survival of Prodoxus larvae. 5. Overall, ants have strong indirect effects on P. quinquepunctellus by controlling how many eggs are laid in the stalk and by influencing the distribution of aphids. However, it is primarily the presence and position of the fruit that can affect larval survivorship, and fruit position is a function of pollinator visits and resource limitation. These complex interactions illustrate the importance of studying the yucca–moth mutualism in a community context.