Consortial Associations of Insects (Insecta) and Springtails (Collembola) with Trollius asiaticus L. (Ranunculaceae)

Abstract

Consortive associations of insects and springtails with the Asian globeflower Trollius asiaticus L. (Ranunculaceae) were studied in the field and in the Bioresource Scientific Collection of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Science; USU no. 440534) in 2017–2021. A total of 106 arthropod species were recorded, which were classified into the following groups: (1) anthophiles, (2) herbivores (phyllophages and carpophages), (3) detritophages, and (4) entomophages. Their diversity was the highest during plant blossoming, when the consortium was dominated by anthophilous forms, including pollinators and non-pollinating nectar consumers. The seeds were damaged by fly larvae of the genus Chiastocheta (Anthomyiidae) and by numerous true bugs. The phyllophages did not cause any considerable damage to the Asian globeflower.