Density dependence and temporal plasticity of competitive interactions during utilisation of resources by a community of lepidopteran stemborer species.

Interactions within and between species sharing the same resources are characterised by competition or facilitation, and can be influenced by factors such as larval numbers and phenotypic plasticity of the interactions. The effect of larval density on the survival and relative growth rate of the stemborers Busseola fusca ( Fuller) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (both Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Chilo partellus ( Swinhoe) ( Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were studied, as well as the temporal plasticity of their competitive interactions. These stemborers attack maize crops ( Zea mays L.) ( Poaceae) in sub-Saharan Africa. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions at the optimum development temperature (25 °C) for the three species. Surrogate stems filled with artificial diet were intra- and interspecifically infested with larvae of each species. The effect of larval density on competition was studied at low (six larvae) and high (12 larvae) levels of infestation, whereas the temporal plasticity of competition was evaluated at 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after infestation. The two experiments involved single- and multi-species infestation treatments. Larval numbers and wet mass in each artificial stem were recorded in each experiment. Survival and relative growth rate of the three species were significantly higher at low-infestation levels when facing either intra- or interspecific competition. The intensity of competition was also temporally plastic among the species and increased as the duration of competition increased. These results are discussed in terms of general infestations of cereal crops by borers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]