Insect Herbivores on Tropical Dipterocarp Seedlings
Published 2003 · N. Osawa, T. Okuda
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Abstract
We conducted a field experiment in the Pasoh Forest Reserve (Pasoh FR), Peninsular Malaysia, from 1995 to 1996 to investigate seasonal variation in the numbers of herbivorous insects and their insect predators; to clarify the difference in insect density in forest canopy gaps relative to closed canopies; and to determine the effect of artificial defoliation (0, 50 and 100% defoliation of seedlings) on the predator-prey insect community associated with tree seedlings. We noted a trend in herbivore numbers, which peaked in August 1995, then decreased toward March 1996. Predator numbers lagged behind prey numbers; they increased from November 1995 and peaked in January 1996. The densities of both the herbivorous insects and their predators were greater on seedlings in canopy gaps than in closed forest. Herbivores differed in plant species preference, and also showed a preference for seedlings that had not been defoliated. The results are discussed in the context of tropical rain forest regeneration.