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Specialised host-use and phenophase tracking in restio leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Cephalelini) in the Cape Floristic Region

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Abstract

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has exceptionally high plant diversity, but because there are so few studies on insect diversity and diet breadth, little is known about the relationship between plant and insect diversity. One possibility is that plant and insect diversity in the CFR are linked through host specialisation. Alternatively, the nutrient-poor soils of the CFR may favour generalist feeding strategies with insects tracking the favourable phenophases of a variety of host plants. We studied Cephalelus, a genus of leafhoppers apparently specialised on the Restionaceae, a diverse and dominant plant family in the CFR. We examined patterns of Cephalelus host association at a single site during a 24 month field survey to determine whether Cephalelus diversity is related to the partitioning of host plant or temporal niches; or whether Cephalelus tracks the most nutritive phenophases of restios by temporal host-switching. Seven Cephalelus species were recorded which varied in their seasonal abundance patterns. The majority of these species exhibited specialised host use on different Restionaceae species, with the exception of C. pickeri. This species specialised on two host plants. The populations of two dominant species, C. pickeri and C.uncinatus, tracked the phenology of their primary host plants but not of the Restionaceae in general. To conclude; we find no evidence for host-switching or generalism in Cephalelus. Instead, they appear to be host-specialised, suggesting coupling between their diversity and that of their host plants; the Restionaceae in the CFR.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the following people for helping us in the field: Anina Heystek, Caroli de Waal, Christiaan Conradie, Danie van Zyl, Hannes Wiese and Marion Carrier. The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board provided permits (0035-AAA007-00082 and 0028-AAA007-00005). Funding was provided by the NRF South African Biosystems Initiative (Grant No. 74458 to AGE) and Stellenbosch University (to AGE). All experiments comply with the current laws of South Africa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany and Zoology Department, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Willem J. Augustyn, Bruce Anderson & Allan G. Ellis

  2. ARC-PPRI, Biosystematics Division, Private Bag X134, Queenswood, Pretoria, 0121, South Africa

    Michael Stiller

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  1. Willem J. Augustyn
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  2. Bruce Anderson
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  3. Michael Stiller
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  4. Allan G. Ellis
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Correspondence to Willem J. Augustyn or Allan G. Ellis.

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Augustyn, W.J., Anderson, B., Stiller, M. et al. Specialised host-use and phenophase tracking in restio leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Cephalelini) in the Cape Floristic Region. J Insect Conserv 17, 1267–1274 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-013-9608-2

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