Resource partitioning by three species of hemipteran herbivores on the basis of host plant density.

Three hemipteran herbivores partition a common resource plant, Senecio smallii, on the basis of bud density and plant patch size. The monophagous herbivore, Neacoryphus bicrucis, is most abundant in larger patches where bud density is greatest. The oligophagous herbivore, Harmostes reflexulus, is most abundant in small patches of high bud density. The polyphagous species, Lygus pratensis, is most abundant in small patches where abundance is independent of bud density. The aggressive nature of the monophagous herbivore appears to mediate the responses of the other species.