Reciprocal feeding facilitation between above- and below-ground herbivores

McKenzie, S. W., Vanbergen, A. J., Hails, R. S., Jones, Thomas Hefin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7874-3627 and Johnson, S. N. 2013. Reciprocal feeding facilitation between above- and below-ground herbivores. Biology Letters 9 (5) , 20130341. 10.1098/rsbl.2013.0341

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Abstract

Interspecific interactions between insect herbivores predominantly involve asymmetric competition. By contrast, facilitation, whereby herbivory by one insect benefits another via induced plant susceptibility, is uncommon. Positive reciprocal interactions between insect herbivores are even rarer. Here, we reveal a novel case of reciprocal feeding facilitation between above-ground aphids (Amphorophora idaei) and root-feeding vine weevil larvae (Otiorhynchus sulcatus), attacking red raspberry (Rubus idaeus). Using two raspberry cultivars with varying resistance to these herbivores, we further demonstrate that feeding facilitation occurred regardless of host plant resistance. This positive reciprocal interaction operates via an, as yet, unreported mechanism. Specifically, the aphid induces compensatory growth, possibly as a prelude to greater resistance/tolerance, whereas the root herbivore causes the plant to abandon this strategy. Both herbivores may ultimately benefit from this facilitative interaction.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	interspecific competition; plant–insect interactions; Otiorhynchus sulcatus; Amphorophora idaei
Publisher:	Royal Society
ISSN:	1744-9561
Funders:	NERC/CEH
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	11 May 2023 19:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/59454

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