Herbivory on bracken (Pteridium spp.) by Bolax palliata Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a poliphagous beetle of the Venezuelan Andes.
Herbivore attack by Bolax palliata Burmeister is reported on two sympatric bracken species: Pteridium caudatum (L.) Maxon and P. arachnoideum (Kaulf.). Laboratory and field observations revealed a preference for the last of the two species. Available phytochemical information suggests it could be based on differences in concentration of condensed tannins.
Avila Núñez
Jorge L
JL
Depto. Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Univ. de Los Andes, Venezuela. jlavila@ula.ve
Otero
L Daniel
LD
Naya
Marlene
M
Calcagno-Pisarelli
Maria P
MP
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D032498:Pteridium / Q000469:parasitology*; D014687:Venezuela