Natural history of insects living in inflorescences of two species of Heliconia

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1976
Authors:R. P. Seifert, Seifer F. Hammett
Journal:Journal of the New York Entomological Society
Volume:84
Pagination:233-242
Abstract:

The life histories of eight species of insects which live in the water-filled bracts of Heliconia wagneriana and H. imbricata are studied. Development times of larval forms are directly correlated with the length of time an inflorescence survives on a plant. Few predators were collected from these inflorescences. It is hypothesized that low predation rates may be important in the evolution of insects living in Heliconia inflorescences.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith