Daily dynamics of herbivores and natural enemies on an extrafloral nectary-bearing plant in a Neotropical wetland

Interactions among plants, herbivores, and natural enemies are central to community ecology, yet most studies focus only on diurnal patterns, overlooking temporal variation across the day-night cycle. Here, we describe the composition and temporal dynamics of arthropod assemblages associated with Ipomoea carnea (Convolvulaceae), a widespread macrophyte with extrafloral nectaries in the Brazilian Pantanal. Over one year, we surveyed 30 plants monthly in three daily periods (morning, afternoon, night), documenting herbivores (specialists and generalists) and natural enemies (ants, wasps, and spiders). We recorded 1,996 herbivores and over 19,000 natural enemies, revealing clear temporal partitioning: ants were more abundant during the day and coincided with lower herbivore abundance, while spiders peaked at night and were associated with reduced occurrence of specialist herbivores. Wasps were less abundant overall but showed activity concentrated during daytime. These patterns suggest complementary roles of natural enemies across the daily cycle, resulting in continuous pressure on herbivores. Our findings highlight I. carnea as a natural platform to study arthropod community dynamics and provide a critical baseline for both ecological theory and conservation efforts in one of the world’s most threatened wetlands.