Increasing intraspecific plant chemical diversity at plot and plant
level affects herbivorous, predatory, and pollinating arthropod
communities
Abstract
Plant chemistry mediates interactions between plants and their
environment. While intraspecific chemodiversity at the plant level is
well-studied, the effects of groups of plants differing in chemistry on
interactions need more attention. To test how intraspecific
chemodiversity affects plant-arthropod interactions, we manipulated
plots of Tanacetum vulgare L., differing in chemotype richness
and composition. Over three seasons, we monitored four arthropod groups
(herbivores, flower visitors, predators, and ants). We hypothesized that
higher plot-level chemotype richness enhances occurrence across all
studied arthropod groups and that the effect on abundance would be
negative for herbivore and ant abundance and positive for flower
visitors and predators. Mixed models revealed that with increasing
plot-level chemotype richness, herbivore abundance decreased, flower
visitor abundance increased, and predatory arthropods and ants remained
largely unaffected. Specific chemotypes influenced community assembly
within arthropod groups over time, emphasizing that plant chemical
diversity shapes insect communities and contributes to ecosystem
dynamics.