One of my recent experiment refered to insect species, now the identification (to family level) has been done. In the following, I want to compare the differences in species richness and composition of insects between different treatments, which is easy. Besides, I also want to see the accumulative patterns of different functional groups (like herbivores vs. insect predators and pollinators vs. non-pollinators, or any other functional groups) in different treatments. However, I have few experiences in insect research and do not know how to identify which functional group an insect (family) belongs to. Does anyone know that? Are there some references or websites for such purposes?
I appreciate it a lot if anyone can give some suggestions.
In insects there are many functional groups and according to the number of individuals registered in each evaluation date, you can organize them according to their feeding behavior and lifestyle: pollinators, phytophagous, granivorous, predators, parasitoids, coprophagous, saprophagous, necrophagous, hematophagous, xylophagous, rizophagous, frugivorous, nocturnal, diurnal, aquatic or terrestrial etc.
Hello Chen; You might read these papers.
Andersen, A. N. 1997. Functional groups and patterns of organization in North American ant communities: a comparison with Australia. J. Biogeogr. 24: 433-460.
Andersen, A. N. 2010. Functional groups in ant community ecology. in Lach, L, CL Parr, KL Abbot. 2010. Ant Ecology. Oxford Univ Press, London, xvii + 402 pp.
The general principles are well-presented in these papers. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
Hello dear Jianguo Chen
I agree with James Des Lauriers , you can determine the functional groups with the observational data in the field. Functional groups depend basically on the phenomenon that you are studying.
Regards,
Cristian
Hi, Jianguo, take into account that larvae and adult have different spectrum of feeding. From my experience conditions of local environment can influence the preferences of a species very much! E.g., what is eating lizard Lacerta agilis? Yes, insects. But what about sausages? I caught it by trap for mice!
Working with water invertebrates and protists I noted several times when raptor ciliates swallowed algae…
Therefore, I agree with colleagues, that cameral investigations can be only supplement. Needs field information... I have some articles (my site, please)...
like
Article Community structure in cryophilic infusoria.
Andrey
In insects there are many functional groups and according to the number of individuals registered in each evaluation date, you can organize them according to their feeding behavior and lifestyle: pollinators, phytophagous, granivorous, predators, parasitoids, coprophagous, saprophagous, necrophagous, hematophagous, xylophagous, rizophagous, frugivorous, nocturnal, diurnal, aquatic or terrestrial etc.
Luis Miguel Constantino : A great explanation, In addition to the variety of food patterns of insects may vary depending on the insect stages (larva or nymph and adult stage)
Best regards,,,,
The type of insect mouth parts (biting, sucking, piercing and sucking and so on) is very important in identifying the preferred food of each species..
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