Analysis of floral herbivores associated with Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Martius and Choisy) in a seasonally dry rainforest

Multitrophic interactions occur when different systems are interconnected, forming a networks that performs various functions within an ecosystem, wherein all organisms involved are mutually affected. As primary producers, plants serve as an energy source for the entire consumer network, and their reproductive success directly and indirectly influences the structure of trophic chains. This study aimed to examine the temporal variation of floral herbivores in the plant species Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convolvulaceae) within a Caatinga area. Data were collected over 12 months at Fazenda Tamanduá, Paraíba, Brazil, using the ecological model of the species I. carnea subsp. fistulosa. Herbivory on previously marked plants was observed, and associated arthropods were actively collected using nets, entomological aspirators, and manual methods. Data analyses involved ANOVA for insect species richness and abundance, linear regression for plant production versus precipitation, and Shannon–Wiener and Simpson diversity indices. These arthropods were classified into ecological guilds: suckers, chewers, and borers. Our key findings indicate that: (I) flowers exhibited greater abundance and species richness compared to buds and fruits; (II) herbivore abundance and richness were higher during months with higher rainfall; and (III) chewers were more abundant than other herbivore guilds. Our results illuminate the influence of seasonality on the diversity of floral herbivores and underscore the importance of I. carnea subsp. fistulosa as a resource for local arthropod fauna during the dry season.