Summer drought alters plant-mediated competition between foliar- and root-feeding insects |
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| Authors: | JOANNA T STALEY SIMON R MORTIMER MICHAEL D MORECROFT† VALERIE K BROWN GREGORY J MASTERS‡ |
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| Institution: | Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK,;NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BB, UK,;CABI Europe, UK, Silwood Park, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7TA, UK |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | aboveground belowground drought experimental manipulation foliar feeder indirect competition leaf-miner parasitoid root feeder wireworm |
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