Florivore species

Our initial field surveys of the phytotelmata of the flower parts (conducted prior to the present study) at all 3 study sites revealed that the H. spathocircinata inflorescences are occupied primarily by the florivorous larvae of 3 insect taxa (Figure 3). Two of these taxa belong to dipteran families, that is, soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) and hoverflies (Syrphidae), while the other is a member the order Lepidoptera (a moth). We observed that the larvae remain hidden within the bracts of the inflorescence beyond the flowering period, when the structure of the bract can be considered an infructescence, within which the fruit develops. Given this, these herbivores (initially identified as florivores) may also act as frugivores or seed predators.

Plant–insect trophic interactions in H. spathocircinata (Heliconiaceae) at 3 Atlantic forest sites in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The bracts of the plant have been partially removed to reveal the reproductive structures and larvae within. (A, B) Examples of the sequential development stages of the inflorescences of H. spathocircinata within the bract. (A) The left arrow indicates the ovary of the first receptive flower in the bract and the right arrow, the liquid accumulated inside the bract (phytotelma), which is poor in organic matter at this stage of development. (B) The left arrow indicates a nearly fully developed fruit, and the right arrow, an accumulation of organic matter inside the bract, which is formed by senescent flowers 15–20 days after the opening of the bract. (C) Herbivory on a bract of an inflorescence. The arrow shows the debris formed after the total destruction of the reproductive structures. (D) The arrow indicates a moth caterpillar (Lepidoptera). (E) The arrows indicate soldier fly larvae (Stratiomyidae). (F) The arrows indicate hoverfly larvae (Syrphidae).