Summer drought alters plant-mediated competition between foliar- and root-feeding insects

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2007
Authors:J. T. Staley, Mortimer, S. R., Morecroft, M. D., Brown, V. K., Masters, G. J.
Journal:Global Change Biol
Volume:13
Pagination:866–877
Date Published:Jan
Keywords:Aboveground, Below-Ground Herbivory, Belowground, Climate-Change, Co2, Community Dynamics, Drought, Experimental Manipulation, Foliar Feeder, Grassland, Host-Plant, Indirect Competition, Leaf Damage, Leaf-Miner, Parasitoid, Parasitoids, Performance, Responses, Root Feeder, Wireworm
Abstract:

Summer droughts are predicted to increase in severity and frequency in the United Kingdom, due to climate change. Few studies have addressed the impacts of drought on interactions between species, and the majority have focussed on increases in CO2 concentration and changes in temperature. Here, the effect of experimental summer drought on the strength of the plant-mediated interaction between leaf-mining Stephensia brunnichella larvae and root-chewing Agriotes larvae was investigated. Agriotes larvae reduced the abundance and performance of S. brunnichella feeding on a mutual host plant, Clinopodium vulgare, as well as the rate of parasitism of the leaf-miner. The interaction did not, however, occur on plants subjected to a severe drought treatment, which were reduced in size. Changes to summer rainfall, due to climate change, may therefore reduce the occurrence of plant-mediated interactions between insect herbivores.

URL:http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117991557/abstract
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01338.x
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith