A mathematical model demonstrates that size-selective herbivory can drive the evolution of a mutualistic relationship between plants and herbivores. The fact that some monocarpic plants can replace inflorescences lost to herbivory presents the opportunity for bet hedging within a single flowering season. When herbivory is sufficiently strong and size selective, the optimal plant strategy is to withhold a large proportion of its reproductive resources against the possibility that an initial investment will be consumed. Under these conditions, plant fitness is enhanced by herbivory, and selection would favor plant traits that increase the probability of being eaten.
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