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Saproflorivory: A diverse insect community in fallen flowers of Lecythidaceae in French Guiana

Abstract:

We investigated insects associated with flowerfalls from seven tree species belonging to the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae) in the lowland rain forest of French Guiana. Freshly fallen androecia were collected from the forest floor and incubated in rearing chambers. Over 1300 insects representing 21 families were collected from the caged flowers, including abundant Diptera and Coleoptera, five moth morphospecies and four species of lycaenid butterflies. These insects feed on androecia. We also documented the presence of predators and parasitoids, indicating an additional trophic level. © 2007 The Author(s).