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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2010
- Title: How Temperature Will Affect the Ant, Aphid, Plant Relationship
- Author: Margaurete A Romero (Saint Leo University)
- Abstract:
Ants and aphids are mutualistic; aphids secrete a honeydew substance that the ants collect for carbohydrate in their diet, and in return the ants provide protection to the aphids. With rising temperatures occurring throughout the world, plants may be under more stress than they have been; this could change the relationship to the aphid pest by limiting certain nutrients, and in turn changing the relationship with ants that normally tend the aphid for their carbohydrate source. We proposed to see how rising temperatures would affect this ant, aphid, plant relationship and seeing whether the ants would tend more to the aphid for more sugar or instead prey on them for protein source. In order to see whether temperature would change this mutualistic relationship, we placed four quaking aspen into each of the ten different chambers, which ranged from control, ambient air, 2°C, 4°C, and 8°C. The trees were either treated to allow for only ants, only aphids, for both, or for none to be on the plants. The plants were then observed for tending, which yielded only a Tapinoma sp. consistently tending aphids. Testing for stress of the plants with a fluorometer showed little range among plants within each of the chambers. Further research is needed to demonstrate the changing relationships between ants, aphids, and plants with global warming. Results will be crucial in understanding how natural pests will affect plants in the future.
- Research Category: Large Experiments and Permanent Plot Studies
