Priority resource access mediates competitive intensity between an invasive weevil and native floral herbivores

Authors

Svata M. Louda, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Tatyana A. Rand, USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research LaboratoryFollow
A. A. R. Kula, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A. E. Arnett, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
N. M. West, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brigitte Tenhumberg, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Biological Invasions (2011) 13:2233–2248 DOI 10.1007/s10530-011-0036-5

Comments

This article is a U.S. government work, and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying invasive species impacts remain incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that priority resource access by an invasive biocontrol weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, intensifies and alters the outcome of competition with native floral herbivores over flower head resources of the non-target, native host plant Cirsium canescens, specifically with the predominant, synchronous tephritid fly Paracantha culta. Four main results emerged. First, we documented strong, asymmetric competition, with R. conicus out-competing P. culta. Second, weevil priority access to floral resources accelerated competitive suppression of P. culta. Evidence for competitive suppression with increased weevil priority included decreases in both the numbers and the total biomass of native flies, plus decreases in individual P. culta fly mass and, so, potential fitness. Third, we found evidence for three concurrent mechanisms underlying the competitive suppression of P. culta by R. conicus. Prior use of a flower head by R. conicus interfered with P. culta pre-oviposition behavior. Once oviposition occurred, the weevil also reduced fly post-oviposition performance. Preemptive resource exploitation occurred, shown by the significant effect of flower head size on the total number of insects developing and in the magnitude of R. conicus effects on P. culta. Interference also occurred, shown by a spatial shift of surviving P. culta individuals away from the preferred receptacle resources as R. conicus priority increased. Finally, fourth, using an individual-based model (IBM), we found that the competitive interactions documented have the potential for imposing demographic consequences, causing a reduction in P. culta population sizes. Thus, priority resource access by an invasive insect increased competitive impact on the predominant native insect in the invaded floral guild. This study also provides the first experimental evidence for non-target effects of a weed biological control agent on an associated native insect herbivore.

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