Associações inseto-planta no nível local e regional: Tephritidae e Vernonieae na Serra do Espinhaço

Abstract

In this paper we examine the host association pattern of herbivorous insects (Diptera, Tephritidae) with their host plants (Compositae, tribe Vernonieae) in five localities of the southern Espinhaço range in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. There are substantial differences in host associations among localities. To a large extent these are attributable to differences among local floras; however, a logistic model shows that associations partly shift also in response to factors which affect the insects themselves. These factors are seemingly distinct for generalist and specialist insects. The structure of associations at the local level versus the regional level requires a multicausal explanatory model.