Data from: Genetic specificity of a plant-insect food web: Implications for linking genetic variation to network complexity

We know that the gain or loss of species can have cascading effects on food-web complexity; however, it is less clear whether the gain or loss of genetic variation within species, an often overlooked component of biodiversity, will similarly affect food-web structure. Here, we empirically identify how genetic variation within a host plant directly and indirectly affects its associated insect food web, resulting in distinct trophic interactions occurring on each host-plant genotype. Moreover, simulations of our empirical data suggest that higher levels of host-plant genetic variation lead to a more complex plant–insect food web. Our results suggest that preserving genetic variation within key species may be critical for maintaining complex and robust food webs under future environmental change.