The Importance of Insects in Ecosystems

Question 1

What are the roles of insects in ecosystems?

Answer 1

Herbivores, predators, parasites, parasitoids, prey, detritivores

Question 2

What is rarely a limiting factor for insects?

Answer 2

Food

Question 3

How is it that food is rarely a limiting factor for insects?

Answer 3

Weather, predators, parasites, and pathogens regulate populations. Able to feed on a range of sources and switch sources. Sometimes diet differs with life stage (e.g. mosquitoes) and/or sex, meaning resource competition is reduced

Question 4

What pigments harvest sunlight, providing energy for aphids?

Answer 4

Carotenoids

Question 5

How much plant matter in terrestrial ecosystems remains when a plant dies?

Answer 5

90%

Question 6

What is decomposition?

Answer 6

Physical and chemical breakdown of organic material into energy and nutrients

Question 7

What would happen if there were problems within the insect decomposer community?

Answer 7

There would be reduced energy flow in the ecosystem. Build up of organic matter and reduced nutrient cycling. Reduced carbon cycling. Reduced biodiversity.

Question 8

Why is the dung of herbivores highly nutritious?

Answer 8

Herbivores have a relatively inefficient digestive system compared to carnivores