Insect herbivory differentially affects the behaviour of two pollinators of Brassica rapa.

ABSTRACT: Pollinator behaviour during floral visits shapes plant mating opportunities, influencing the likelihood of outcrossing versus selfing. These behaviours may be affected by plant responses to antagonists such as insect herbivores. This study aimed to better understand how insect herbivory affects visitation behaviour of two pollinator community members of field mustard (Brassica rapa): the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and the large cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae). In field tent experiments, we allowed caterpillars of P. brassicae to develop from leaf-feeding early instars to flower-feeding late instars and assessed pollinator response to undamaged and damaged plants during 10-min observations. We recorded behaviours with potential effect on outcrossing: (first) choice

SUBMITTER: Suijkerbuijk HAC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12354498 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature