Florivory and floral larceny by fly larvae decrease nectar availability and hummingbird foraging visits at Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) flowers |
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| Authors: | Caio C C Missagia Maria Alice S Alves |
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| Institution: | 1. Programa de Pós‐Gradua??o em Ecologia e Evolu??o, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil;2. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Insect larvae inhabit the corolla tubes of some Heliconia species (Heliconiaceae). In this study, we present the first evidence of the influence of these larvae on the pollination ecology of Heliconia plants. We provide experimental evidence that the flowers of Heliconia spathocircinata infested by flies have less nectar for pollinators and received fewer visits by hummingbird pollinators, in comparison with uninfested flowers. |
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| Keywords: | Atlantic forest
Heliconia spathocircinata
pollination Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca Rio de Janeiro Syrphidae Stratiomyidae Trochilidae |
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