The composition and diversity of insects associated with ball moss, Tillandsia recurvata L.(Bromeliaceae) were studied in dry tropical deciduous forests in the state of Querétaro, Mexico, over a period of one year. Four dry forest sites near the city of Querétaro were selected where T. recurvata was collected in four transects at each site. All insects inhabiting T. recurvata were collected, mounted and recorded. A total of 3688 colonies of T. recurvata were collected from which 1766 insects were separated, representing seven orders, 30 families and 83 species. The majority of the insects were adults (94.8%). Coleoptera was the order with the most individuals of which the most common family was Curculionidae (38%) followed by Bruchidae (27%). Significant differences were found in the diversity and density of insects among sites but no differences were found along altitudinal gradients, or among the species of host tree upon which T. recurvata was collected. The greatest abundance and diversity of insects were found during the dry season. This seasonal pattern and the apparently random distribution of insects in T. recurvata suggests that this plant is utilized as a refuge site for insects during the dry season, and is not a food source. The importance of the ecological role of T. recurvata as a refuge site for insects during the dry season in these tropical forests will be discussed.
Species 1: Bromeliales Bromeliaceae Tillandsia recurvata (ball moss)
Keywords: Tropical habitats, dry season
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA