Several environmental cues or factors can influence the relative importance of abiotic and biotic pressures on herbivore host selection and performance. One key factor is the availability of alternative food sources. In environments where suitable host plants are scarce, herbivores may prioritize host selection based on nutritional quality rather than abiotic factors like heavy metal contamination. Additionally, the presence of natural enemies or predators can also influence herbivore host selection, as the risk of predation may outweigh the benefits of feeding on a preferred host plant.
Seasonal variations in plant chemistry can also play a role in modulating herbivore host selection. For example, plants may vary in their metal accumulation levels throughout the growing season, leading to fluctuations in the attractiveness of different host plants to herbivores. Climate conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can also impact the performance of herbivores on metal-contaminated plants, potentially altering their host selection behavior.
Overall, the interplay between abiotic and biotic factors, along with the availability of alternative hosts and environmental conditions, can collectively influence the importance of heavy metal contamination versus competition in shaping herbivore host selection and performance.