Doctoral Degrees (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Conservation Ecology and Entomology) by Author "Coetzee, J. H.(Jacobus Hendrik)"
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- ItemArthropod communities of Proteaceae with special emphasis on plant-insect interactions(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1989) Coetzee, J. H.(Jacobus Hendrik); Giliomee, J. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology & Entomology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Arthropod communities of five proteaceous species viz. Protea repens. P. neriifolia. P.cynaroides, Leucospermum cordifolium and Leucadendron /aureolum were studied. A faunal list of the insects was compiled according to the feeding guilds of insects. Six phytophagous guilds were recognized: flower visitors, thrips, endophages, ectophages, sap-suckers, and ants. The guild composition, species packing and seasonal distribution for the free-IMng insects, spiders and other arthropods were investigated on the different plant species. The ants, flower visitors and sap-sucking species found on the plant species, were very similar, but the number of leaf chewing species common to all the plant species was low, suggesting that some species were monophagous. Insect abundance increased during the wet winter months when the plants were in flower. Of the total number of herbivores collected, flower visitors represented 69,5%, leaf feeders 14,5% and sap-suckers 16,1 %. The chewers constituted 60,1% of the total herbivore. biomass. Leaf damage increased with age ; young leaves were practically free of herbivore damage, while older leaves were stm acceptable as food. The degree of insect damage differed amongst the plant species varying from 2% to 15%. The following leaf characteristics were investigated to determine the factors involved in defence against insect herbivory : total phenolic content, protein precipitating ability, cyanogenesis, nitrogen content, leaf toughness, woodiness and fibre content lt appears that the plant species use different mechanisms to protect their leaves. The infructescences of Protea repens were exploited by the larvae of four Coleoptera and four Lepidoptera species. The community structure of these phytophagous insects was determined largely by negative interactions. Various strategies are followed (e.g. niche segregation in time and space) to lessen interspecific competition.