Project Site: Ecological Functioning

All 3 major pollinator orders are present in this site, namely: Lepidoptera; Diptera; and Coleoptera. The largest and arguably most diverse taxon of predators within this grassland is that of the Family Thomisidae (Flower Crab Spiders) [Class: Arachnida]

There is a wide range of trophic interactions between taxa of these 3 groups (and others) at various levels. Some of these interactions involve, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Micro-Predation by Mimicry: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71814665
2. Pollinivory: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72634219
3. Floravory: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71814659
4. Parasitism:
- Necrotrophic zoophagy: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71299658
- Necrotrophic frugophagy: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71299665
- Biotrophic phytophagy: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71299663

There are a number of records of mating behaviour in both pollinator and predator species:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72370744
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71568414

There is also an important nursery site for the Koppie Foam Grasshopper (Dictyophorus sp.) and other Orthopteran species amongst the large, localised population of the plant Eucomis autumnalis, which grows prolifically amongst rocky outcroppings. The eggs are laid in the moist, conical leaf bases where water often collects after rain. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs feed on the broad leaves of the plant whilst they mature

There is evidence of Termite activity in this hill owing to the presence of Termitomyces mushrooms as well as sightings of winged adults: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72370739
Given the altitude at which the site is situated (>1400m asl), this is a unique feature of this grassland and, asides from the scattered rocky terrain and endemic climate of extreme high and low temperatures, is possibly one of the causal factors of the high, localised pockets of plant and insect biodiversity to be found in this site

All of the above is evidence of the fact that this site, specifically the rocky, southern grassland slopes, are an important nesting ground for a diverse array of insects

Posted on March 26, 2021 10:32 AM by anthonywalton