The effects of lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae) leaf toughness on feeding of some insect groups

In this study, relation between leaf toughness and insect feeding in populations of Lythrum salicariaL. taxon spreading along the Porsuk River, Kütahya were searched according to the canopycoverage as main effect. It was determined that there was a negative (-) relation between canopycoverage and the number of insect species (t = 18,41, p < 0,0001). Total number of insects speciesspreading on leaves and stems of Lythrum salicaria populations increased with lower canopycoverage. It was also determined that total number of insects species spreading on leaves and stemsof Lythrum salicaria populations increased with upper (t = 2,54, p < 0,01) and lower leaf toughness(t = 2,01, p < 0,05).