ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 2380
Poster No. = 1233


FLOWERS, FLORAL TRAITS AND THRIPS IN TROPICAL FOREST


F. GATTESCO AND D. W. ROUBIK (presenter), SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BALBOA, PANAMA


Thrips consume pollen, breed in floral tissue or pollinate, but their role is unclear. Surveys in Panamanian forests showed thrips most common in of vines and trees while least common among herbs. Of 266 species 58% were used by thrips and 41% were reproductive hosts, indicated by larvae. Half these plant taxa could not be pollinated by thrips because pollen grains were too large (>40 microns) for thrips transport. In species harboring many thrips, pollen consumed resulted in immediate loss of many or most grains before flowers opened. Flower thrips, most Frankliniella, prefer flowers that fall down entire and offer places for larvae to develop. Selection by thrips may nonetheless favor flowers that last a single day to prevent population buildup of these largely destructive, tiny insects.


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