Figure 1.15 Niche. Even within a group of similar organisms, such as the insects, each species has a distinct niche. In the case of insects, the food they consume is only one aspect of their niche. (a) The European corn borer is specialized to feed on corn plants. (b) The Colorado potato beetle is specialized to feed on the leaves of potato plants. (c) The caterpillar of the cabbage white butterfly is specialized to feed on the leaves of cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Photos by (a) Scott Sinklier/age fotostock; (b) blickwinkel/Alamy; and (c) Nigel Cattlin/Alamy.