Population Parameters of Triatoma spinolai (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) under Different Environmental Conditions and Densities

Population parameters of Triatoma spinolai Porter were studied using specimens collected in the north and central region of Chile. Two cohorts of 17 and 44 first instars were maintained at a constant temperature of 28°C and 70% RH. Two similar cohorts of bugs were exposed to 16-24°C and 55-75% RH and maintained under a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h for 16 mo. The preimaginal period ranged between 285 and 372 d under constant conditions. The lower-density cohort required 9.5 mo to reach the adult stage compared with 12.4 mo for the high-density cohort. Bugs placed under variable temperature and relative humidity conditions did not survive long. Cohorts with higher densities had similar mortality rates with greater mortality occuring in cohorts that had lower numbers of bugs. Cohorts under constant temperature and relative humidity reproduced and basic reproduction rates (Ro, intrinsic growth rate [r], and generation time [G]) were estimated. Cohorts with higher numbers of bugs had highe

Pollen Limitation

Contains data on seed production in control (not manipulated) flowers and experimental (pollen supplemented) flowers in 2016 and 2017

Data from: The most effective pollinator principle applies to new invasive pollinators

G.L. Stebbins’ most effective pollinator principle states that when pollinators are not limiting, plants are expected to specialize and adapt to the more abundant and effective pollinator species available. In this study, we quantify the effectiveness of bees, hummingbirds and hawkmoths in a Chilean population of Erythranthe lutea (Phrymaceae), and examine whether flower traits are subject to pollinator-mediated selection by the most effective pollinator species during two consecutive years. Unlike most species in the pollinator community, the visitation rate of the recently arrived Bombus terrestris did not change substantially between years, which together its high and stable pollen delivery to flower stigmas made this species the most important in the pollinator assemblage followed by the solitary bee Centris nigerrima. Flower traits were under significant selection in the direction expected for short-tongue bees, suggesting that E. lutea is in the initial steps of adaptation to the highly effective exotic bumblebee. Our results confirm the applicability of Stebbins' principle for new invasive pollinators, and stress their importance in driving flower adaptation of native plant species, a critical issue in the face of biotic exchange and homogenization

selection17

Data contains raw plant traits (tube length and corolla size) and seed production as a measure of individual female fitness during 2017. Every value is the average from three randomly chosen flowers and capsules from the same plant

Tongue length

Contains data on tongue length for Bombus terrestris and Centris nigerrima

Visitation Rates

This file contains data on the number of visits per pollinator species per observation period, and visitation rate estimates on a yearly basis. Empty cells indicate lack of observation for a given species (not zero value)

The most effective pollinator principle applies to new invasive pollinators

G. L. Stebbins' most effective pollinator principle states that when pollinators are not limiting, plants are expected to specialize and adapt to the most abundant and effective pollinator species available. In this study, we quantify the effectiveness of bees, hummingbirds and hawkmoths in a Chilean population of Erythranthe lutea (Phrymaceae), and examine whether flower traits are subject to pollinator-mediated selection by the most effective pollinator species during two consecutive years. Unlike most species in the pollinator community, the visitation rate of the recently arrived Bombus terrestris did not change substantially between years, which together with its high and stable pollen delivery to flower stigmas made this species the most important in the pollinator assemblage, followed by the solitary bee Centris nigerrima. Flower traits were under significant selection in the direction expected for short-tongue bees, suggesting that E. lutea is in the initial steps of adaptation to the highly effective exotic bumblebee. Our results illustrate the applicability of Stebbins' principle for new invasive pollinators, and stress their importance in driving flower adaptation of native plant species, a critical issue in the face of biotic exchange and homogenization

Preliminary Studies on Temperature Selection and Activity Cycles of Triatoma infestans and T. spinolai (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), Chilean Vectors of Chagas' Disease

Preferred temperature and activity patterns of Triatoma infestans Klug and Triatoma spinolai Porter were studied, both are vectors of Chagas' disease in Chile. In the laboratory, 24 T. spinolai and 18 T. infestans were exposed to a temperature gradient between 50 and 15°C and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Temperature and hourly position of bugs in an experimental chamber were recorded for 24 h. Both species showed a cycle of preferred temperature, and both selected higher temperatures beginning at 1600 hours, although T. infestans maintains this preference over a longer period. For both species, activity patterns were synchronized with the light-dark cycle, although these activity rhythms were significantly different. T. spinolai had higher activity during the photophase, and T. infestans showed a lower activity in the photophase and a higher one during the scotophase. The similar pattern of preferred temperatures may facilitate the selection of similar environments in the event of

Electronic Supplementary Material from The most effective pollinator principle applies to new invasive pollinators

G.L. Stebbins’ most effective pollinator principle states that when pollinators are not limiting, plants are expected to specialize and adapt to the more abundant and effective pollinator species available. In this study, we quantify the effectiveness of bees, hummingbirds and hawkmoths in a Chilean population of <i>Erythranthe lutea</i> (Phrymaceae), and examine whether flower traits are subject to pollinator-mediated selection by the most effective pollinator species during two consecutive years. Unlike most species in the pollinator community, the visitation rate of the recently arrived <i>Bombus terrestris</i> did not change substantially between years, which together with its high and stable pollen delivery to flower stigmas made this species the most important in the pollinator assemblage followed by the solitary bee <i>Centris nigerrima</i>. Flower traits were under significant selection in the direction expected for short-tongue bees, suggesting that <i>E. lutea</i> is in the initial steps of adaptation to the highly effective exotic bumblebee<i>.</i> Our results illustrate the applicability of Stebbins' principle for new invasive pollinators, and stress their importance in driving flower adaptation of native plant species, a critical issue in the face of biotic exchange and homogenization