The multitrophic system configuration on galls of Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) induced by Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera) depends on abiotic events

• Published in: International journal of tropical insect science Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 2095 - 2104
• Main Authors: Rezende, Uiara Costa, Cardoso, João Custódio Fernandes, Gonçalves, Pedro Henrique Pereira, de Oliveira, Denis Coelho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Arthropods; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Entomology; Environmental conditions; Food resources; Galling; Galls; Host plants; Insects; Lepidoptera; Life cycles; Life Sciences; Macairea; Melastomataceae; Microenvironments; Microhabitats; Momphidae; mortality; Natural enemies; Original Research Article; Stochasticity; Survival; Trophic relationships; Arthropod conservation; Herbivory; Trophic relations; Plant-insect interactions; Natural enemies
• ISSN: 1742-7592; 1742-7584; 1742-7592
• DOI: 10.1007/s42690-023-01104-5

The galling insects, host plants and all gall-interacting organisms may depend on environmental conditions and stochasticity to establish and maintain their life cycles and trophic interactions. The micromoth Palaeomystella oligophaga (Lepidoptera: Momphidae) induces galls on Macairea radula (Melastomataceae) and its populations suffer mortality caused by direct and indirect negative interactions. Herein, we hypothesized that (i) the occurrence of galls should be greater during the dry period, when arthropods may depend more on microhabitats during the larval stage. However, (ii) P. oligophaga can face different kinds and frequencies of enemies during different cycles of the year. In addition, (iii) stochastic events such as fire may reduce the occurrence of natural enemies and thus increase the galling insects frequency. We quantified the galling insect survival rates, the proportion and kinds of natural enemies for 16 months (February 2017 – May 2018), detecting two life cycles of these gall-inducing insects by year. We analyzed galls in these 2 cycles and 1 cycle in the second year after a fire event. We confirmed the bivoltine cycle of P. oligophaga , with more galls induced during the first cycle (Feb – May) but with a higher frequency during the second cycle (Aug-Oct), following the post-fire period (Feb – May). The survival rates of P. oligophaga were higher during the post-fire cycle compared to the same period of the previous year, but lower than during the second. The enemies were more abundant during the first cycle. The bivoltine life cycle may constitute a strategy for P. oligophaga to use the galls during different periods of the year because the maturation and emergence of adults depend on the fluctuation of the occurrence of enemies, which varies according to abiotic conditions. Furthermore, this strategy offers shelter and food resources to all other organisms whose life cycles are synchronized with the availability of this microhabitat.