Daily Dynamics of Herbivores and Natural Enemies on an Extrafloral Nectary-Bearing Plant in a Neotropical Wetland

Abstract Interactions among plants, herbivores, and natural enemies are central to community ecology, yet most studies focus primarily on diurnal patterns, overlooking temporal variation across the day–night cycle. Here, we describe the composition and temporal dynamics of arthropod assemblages associated with Ipomoea carnea (Convolvulaceae), a widespread extrafloral nectary-bearing macrophyte in the Brazilian Pantanal. Over one year, we surveyed 30 plants monthly across three daily periods (morning, afternoon, and night), documenting herbivores (specialists and generalists) and natural enemies (ants, wasps, and spiders). We recorded 1,996 herbivores and more than 19,000 natural enemies, of which ants accounted for 71% of all records, highlighting their dominant role in the system. Arthropod assemblages exhibited clear temporal partitioning: ants were more abundant during daylight periods and coincided with lower herbivore abundance, whereas spiders peaked at night and were associated with reduced occurrence of specialist herbivores. Wasps were less abundant overall but showed activity concentrated during daytime. Together, these patterns indicate complementary temporal associations among natural enemy guilds across the daily cycle, suggesting sustained temporal associations between natural enemies and herbivores across the diel cycle. Our findings highlight I. carnea as a natural platform for investigating arthropod community dynamics and provide a valuable baseline for ecological theory and conservation efforts in one of the world’s most threatened wetlands.