Interactions Among Three Trophic Levels: Influence of Plants on Interactions Between Insect Herbivores and Natural Enemies

TLDR: It is argued that theory on insect-plant interactions cannot progress realistically without consideration of the third trophic level, and plants have many effects, direct and indirect, positive and negative, not only on herbivore but also on the enemies of herbivores.

Abstract: In his recent review of the developing theory of insect-plant interactions, Gilbert (52) identified four major thrusts in research: insect-plant coevolution, host plants as islands, plant apparency and chemical defense, and resource predictability versus evolutionary strategies of insects. From his review it is evident that, with a few exceptions (23, 45, 53, 64), developing theory is addressing primarily a two trophic level system. In reality, of course, all terrestrial communities based on living plants are composed of at least three interacting trophic levels: plants, herbivores, and natural enemies of herbivores. We argue that theory on insect-plant interactions cannot progress realistically without consideration of the third trophic level. A closer look at the mechanisms of interactions reveals a paradox, and plants have many effects, direct and indirect, positive and negative, not only on herbivores but also on the enemies of herbivores. The third trophic level must be considered as part of a plant's battery of defenses against herbivores.