Abstract
The seasonal changes in plant community architecture and its importance to insect herbivores during the ruderal-early stages of an experimental secondary successional gradient are described. The dominant group of insect herbivores, the Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera: Homoptera) are considered together with their host plants, the Gramineae. Here plant structure is analysed in terms of the height profile of the vegetation and its complexity of form. Correlations between insect and plant parameters indicate that the number of different types of grass structure (a measure of architecture) account for 79% and 86% of the variance in leafhopper species richness and total abundance respectively. It is suggested that plant architecture may influence insect herbivore diversity by providing a templet, principally in terms of resource availability, for insect colonisation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
