How much leaf area do insects eat? A data set of insect herbivory sampled globally with a standardized protocol

Herbivory is ubiquitous. Despite being a potential driver of plant distribution and performance, herbivory remains largely undocumented. Some early attempts have been made to review, globally, how much leaf area removed through insect feeding. Kozlov et al., in one the most comprehensive reviews regarding global patterns herbivory, compiled published studies foliar removal sampled data on levels using standardized protocol. However, review by only 15 sampling sites, comprising 33 species, were evaluated tropical areas around globe. In Brazil, which ranks first terms biodiversity, with total 46,097 almost half (43%) endemic, single point was sampled, covering two species. an attempt increase knowledge species provide raw needed test general hypotheses related plant-herbivore interactions across large spatial scales, we proposed joint, collaborative network evaluate herbivory. This allowed us update expand temperate Our set, collected protocol, covers 45 sites from nine countries includes measurements 57,239 leaves 209 vascular plants belonging 65 families regions. They previous sets including 32 globe, 152 146 them Brazil. For areas, it 13 59 Thus, when compared recent (Kozlov al.), our set has increased base available for more than 460% (from species) Brazilian 7,300% 2 species). Data precise are presented 57,000 worldwide. There no copyright restrictions. Please cite this paper current publications; authors request be informed used publications.