Microhabitat Variation in Feeding Places Shape Ant‐Hemiptera Interactions Within Cocoa Agroecosystems
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ant–hemiptera mutualisms are pivotal in tropical ecosystems, yet how these interactions respond to fine‐scale microhabitat variation and management remains poorly understood. We investigated ant–hemiptera interactions across feeding microhabitats (flowers, leaves, pods) and contrasting management systems in Brazilian cocoa farms, comparing traditional agroforestry (“Cabruca,” which retains much of the native shade) with intensified systems (“Total Suppressed,” where native vegetation is removed). Across 934 interactions, leaves and pods supported larger and richer networks than flowers. Although Total Suppressed systems showed higher interaction frequency, network structural metrics such as nestedness and modularity remained stable across microhabitats and management types. This stability appears to be driven by dominant generalist ants acting as structural buffers. Core ant species were widely shared among plant structures, whereas core hemipteran species varied markedly across microhabitats, indicating ecological partitioning. In addition, interaction beta diversity was mainly driven by rewiring among persistent species rather than species turnover. Overall, while hemipterans respond to fine‐scale microhabitat heterogeneity, dominant ants maintain network cohesion through behavioral plasticity, highlighting the resilience of mutualistic networks in cocoa agroecosystems.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
Plant and animal studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Biotropica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 3
- Publication date
- 1 May 2026
- Language
- EN