Phosphorus‐rich grasshoppers consume plants high in nitrogen and phosphorus

• DOI: 10.1111/een.12425
• Publication Date: 2017-06-14T10:22:40Z
• Authors: SÉBASTIEN IBANEZ; ANNIE MILLERY; MARIE D'OTTAVIO; ROBIN GUILHOT; EDOUARD VESIN
• Keywords: Grasshopper; Ecological stoichiometry

1. Insect herbivores choose their food according to its protein carbohydrate ratio, but the reasons why different species have contrasting intake targets remain unclear. According growth rate hypothesis, P ‐rich insects higher rates. It is therefore expected that will prefer plants are high in (hence nitrogen, N ) and phosphorus ( ). 2. To test this ecological stoichiometry interaction network frameworks were combined. The preferences of 24 plant by 23 grasshopper determined, contents both trophic levels measured. weighted mean consumed plants, which represent grasshoppers' feeding niche, highly correlated, indicating diets spread along a single functional niche axis. links between consumers then tested with fourth corner analysis, multivariate technique combining traits, insect traits network. 3. In line earlier grasshoppers , probably because higher. These findings introduce mechanism accounts for interspecific differences diet preference. They also contribute an understanding how herbivore communities might respond limitation ecosystems, complex networks can influence biogeochemical cycles .