Data from: Consequences of multiple flower-insect interactions for subsequent plant-insect interactions and plant reproduction

Premise of the study. Plants often interact simultaneously with multiple
antagonists and mutualists that can alter plant traits at the phenotypic
or genetic level, subsequent plant-insect interactions, and reproduction.
Although many studies have examined the effects of single floral
antagonisms on subsequent pollination and plant reproduction, we know very
little about the combined, potentially non-additive effects of multiple
flower-insect interactions. Methods. We simulated increased florivory,
nectar robbing, and pollination on field-grown Impatiens capensis. This
allowed us to determine interactive effects on five subsequent
plant-insect interactions and 16 plant traits, including traits related to
plant growth, floral attractiveness, floral defenses, and plant
reproduction. Key results. All three manipulative treatments had
significant non-additive effects on the behavior of subsequent floral
visitors, indicating that the effect of floral visitors generally depended
on the presence or behavior of others. Pollination increased visitation by
both pollinators and nectar larcenists (robbers and thieves), while
florivory reduced pollinator and larcenist visits. Surprisingly,
supplemental pollination also increased leaf herbivory. Florivores often
responded to manipulations in opposite ways than did nectar larcenists and
pollinators, suggesting different mechanisms influencing visitors that
consume nectar compared to floral tissue. While our treatments did not
affect any floral trait measured, they non-additively impacted plant
reproduction, with florivory having a larger overall impact than either
nectar robbing or pollination. Conclusions. These results emphasize the
importance of understanding the context in which flower-insect
interactions occur, because the composition of the interacting community
can have large and non-additive impacts on subsequent insect behavior and
plant reproduction. If you would like your personal information to be
removed from the database, please contact the publication office.