Scientific Note: Insects associated with Guettarda scabra in Everglades National Park, Florida

A study on Guettarda scabra in Everglades National Park reveals that its leaves are a food source for various moth caterpillars, some of which contribute to pollination when their adult forms visit the flowers. The research highlights the plant's role in supporting a diverse insect community, with flower-opening accelerated by flower-flies and nocturnal visits from hawk moths (Sphingidae), followed by butterfly activity in the morning. The findings underscore the ecological interactions between G. scabra and its associated insects, providing insights into pollination dynamics within the park's ecosystem.

Koptur, S. (2020). Scientific Note: Insects associated with Guettarda scabra in Everglades National Park, Florida. Castanea, 85(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.2179/0008-7475.85.1.155