蚂蚁与排泄蜜露的同翅目昆虫的相互作用及其生态学效应

Interactions and ecological consequences of interactions between ants and honeydew-producing homopteran

同翅目昆虫多为植食性害虫,但有些种类也是重要的经济昆虫。以蜜露为纽带,蚂蚁与排泄蜜露的同翅目昆虫在漫长的进化过程中逐渐形成了复杂而密切的关系。研究蚂蚁-同翅目昆虫之间的相互作用,有选择的防治或保护某些同翅目昆虫,并控制其在寄主植物上的数量,可提高经济效益。本文介绍蚂蚁与排泄蜜露的同翅目昆虫的相互作用,以及相互作用对节肢动物群落和寄主植物产生的生态学效益,提出研究过程中的不足,并探讨蚂蚁-同翅目昆虫之间的相互作用在生物防治、生物多样性及生态系统功能方面的重要意义,以促进种间关系研究的进一步发展。

Homopterans are mostly herbivorous pests and some species cause significant economic losses.The relationships between ants,homopterans and honeydew are complex and have a long evolutionary history.By exploiting these relationships it may be possible to selectively prevent or control the establishment of specific homopteran insects on commercially significant plants,thereby improving the economic returns from these crops.We here review ant-homopteran interactions and the consequences of these for arthropod communities and their host plants.We point out limitations of current research,discuss the importance of interactions between ants and homopterans for biological control,biodiversity and ecosystem function and highlight the need for further research on interspecies relationships.