Reposted by Mitchel E. Bourne
Wild mustard:
Plant Traits and Reproduction in a Multitrophic System: The Role of Aphids, Parasitoids and Hyperparasitoids
#OpenAccess
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Plant Traits and Reproduction in a Multitrophic System: The Role of Aphids, Parasitoids and Hyperparasitoids
This field mesocosm study examined the top-down effects of hyperparasitoids, parasitoids and aphids on plant growth and fitness. Parasitoids reduced aphid populations, but this effect was attenuated by hyperparasitoids. However, these multitrophic interactions did not affect plant traits and reproduction, likely due to the plant's fast life cycle and high tolerance to herbivory.