Plant–insect interactions: the role of ecological stoichiometry

Abstract

The energy budget of organisms is a primary factor used to generate hypotheses in ecosystem ecology and evolutionary theory. Therefore, previous studies have focused on the energy costs and benefits of adaptations, the efficiency of energy acquisition and investment, and energy budget limitations. The maintenance of stoichiometric balance is equally important because inconsistency between the chemical composition of the consumer's tissues and that of its food sources strongly affects the major life-history traits of the consumer and may influence the consumer's fitness and shape plant-herbivore interactions. In this short review, the framework of ecological stoichiometry is introduced, focusing on plant-insect interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. The use of the trophic stoichiometric ratio (TSR) index is presented as a useful tool for indicating the chemical elements that are scarce in food and have the potential to limit the growth and development of herbivores, thereby influencing plant -herbivorous insect interactions. As an example, the elemental composition and stoichiometry of a pollen consumer (mason bee Osmia bicornis) and its preferred pollen are compared. The growth and development of O. bicornis may be colimited by the scarcity of K, Na, and N in pollen, whereas the development of the cocoon might be colimited by the scarcity of P, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Ca, and N. A literature review of the elemental composition of pollen shows high taxonomical variability in the concentrations of bee-limiting elements. The optimized collection of pollen species based on the elemental composition may represent a strategy used by bees to overcome stoichiometric mismatches, influencing their interactions with plants. It is concluded that the dependence of life-history traits on food stoichiometry should be considered when discussing life history evolution and plant-herbivore interactions. The TSR index may serve as a convenient and powerful tool in studies investigating plant-insect interactions.

Nutrient Dynamics in Decomposing Dead Wood in the Context of Wood Eater Requirements: The Ecological Stoichiometry of Saproxylophagous Insects

“…This chapter will be presented within the framework of ecological stoichiometry (or biological stoichiometry), i.e., the study of the balance of energy and multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions (Sterner and Elser 2002;Filipiak and Weiner 2017b;Cherif et al 2017). Ecological stoichiometry considers how the chemical composition of organisms differs from that of their food and the consequences of these differences for growth and development (Fraústo da Silva and Williams 2001;Sterner and Elser 2002).…”

Validation of floral food resources for pollinators in agricultural landscape in SE Poland

“…cereals) and short‐time mass‐flowering entomophilous crops (e.g. rape) have increased, resulting in substantial limitation of food for pollinators . Habitat fragmentation caused by development of industry and urbanization has resulted in the destruction of nesting sites and available food patches .…”

“…rape) have increased, resulting in substantial limitation of food for pollinators. [14][15][16][17] Habitat fragmentation caused by development of industry and urbanization has resulted in the destruction of nesting sites and available food patches. [18][19][20] Furthermore, climate change and invasive plant species are also responsible for pollinator loss.…”

NECTAR PRODUCTION IN SEVERAL Campanula SPECIES (CAMPANULACEAE)

“…The decline of pollinators have been evidenced in Europe and North America, therefore their conservation is among principle targets for sustaining flora biodiversity, ecosystem function, and food stability for humans [Kleijn and Langevelde 2006]. Food shortage and nutritional deficiencies are listed among the reasons for global pollinator decline [Alaux et al 2010, Filipiak andWeiner 2017]. Shortage of floral food resources, i. e. nectar-and pollen-yielding plants, both in space and time, is a result of habitat fragmentation, agriculture intensification, industrial and urban development [Potts et al 2016].…”