Do the traits of flowers and nectaries in Sapium glandulosum (Euphorbiaceae) shape insect interactions?

Abstract Ecological communities are shaped by intricate species interactions that influence ecosystem functions, stability, and biodiversity. Among these, plant-insect relationships play a particularly significant role in structuring ecological communities. The coevolution between plants and insects have been a key driver of their remarkable diversification, leading to a wide range of interactions, from mutualism to antagonism. In this study, we investigated the pollination biology of Sapium glandulosum (Euphorbiaceae) within a Cerrado palm swamp.We also recorded nectary visitors and identified the herbivores associated with the plant, particularly those specialized in feeding on latex. Our findings indicate that flies were the primary pollinators of S. glandulosum . Additionally, Neolithus fasciatus (Hemiptera) was the only herbivore observed; as its gall formation may allow it to bypass the plant’s chemical defenses. Our results highlight the importance of Diptera as pollinators of S. glandulosum and the role of social wasps in regulating the herbivore population in the palm swamp.