Factors underlying the late seasonal appearance of the lepidopterous leaf‐mining guild on oak

摘要: . 1. Most lepidopterous leaf mining species found on the oak Quercus robur in Britain develop summer. At this time of year, externally feeding caterpillars remove little area since most these free living folivores are predominantly spring feeders. 2. I forced Phyllonorycter harrisella (L.) miners to oviposit spring, then exposed developing larvae a wide range damage levels. 3. Leaf miner survivorship and mean female pupal weight were significantly greater experimental generation undamaged leaves, being when foliage is highest nutritional quality. 4. all generations correlated with natural levels. Experimental also reduces survivorship. 5. by increasing probability larval death due wound induced responses. 6. The role asymmetrical competitive interactions between leaf-miners determining late seasonal appearance discussed. It suggested that responses may play an important part structuring phytophagous insect communities.