2023 - Full Presentation Schedule
Chew on This: Leaf Herbivory of Native and Non-Native Oaks
Start Date
31-3-2023 3:45 PM
End Date
31-3-2023 4:00 PM
Location
CLC Ballroom - Biology/Ecology
Document Type
Presentation
Abstract
Non-native plants generally support less insect herbivory than native plants. This difference can often be attributed to a lack of co-evolutionary history and adaptation between these species. Insect herbivory, and caterpillar herbivory especially, has large effects on local ecosystems as increased caterpillar abundance positively correlates to the abundance of birds and food web biodiversity.
In the United States, this is seen in particular with oaks, as native oaks (Quercus spp.) support more caterpillar species than any other tree genus. A number of non-native oaks are planted in the United States as well. One such tree is the sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima), which was introduced from East Asia in the 1860s as an ornamental tree. More recently, it has become popular with land managers for its prolific acorn production for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Sawtooth oak is now listed as an invasive plant in 8 eastern states.
The objective of this study was to determine whether non-native sawtooth oaks have less caterpillar herbivory than two widespread and co-occurring native oaks – the white oak (Quercus alba) and southern red oak (Quercus falcata). We collected 20 leaves from 20 individuals of each tree species and measured the level of leaf herbivory using the Leafbyte app.
Data were analyzed using a nested ANOVA. We found that southern red oaks had significantly greater leaf herbivory than the non-native sawtooth oaks. However, there was no difference in leaf herbivory between sawtooth oaks and white oaks. Future work should examine the diversity of caterpillar species feeding on each of these oak species.
Keywords: exotic, wildlife management, horticulture, introduced species, habitat management
Chew on This: Leaf Herbivory of Native and Non-Native Oaks
CLC Ballroom - Biology/Ecology
Non-native plants generally support less insect herbivory than native plants. This difference can often be attributed to a lack of co-evolutionary history and adaptation between these species. Insect herbivory, and caterpillar herbivory especially, has large effects on local ecosystems as increased caterpillar abundance positively correlates to the abundance of birds and food web biodiversity.
In the United States, this is seen in particular with oaks, as native oaks (Quercus spp.) support more caterpillar species than any other tree genus. A number of non-native oaks are planted in the United States as well. One such tree is the sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima), which was introduced from East Asia in the 1860s as an ornamental tree. More recently, it has become popular with land managers for its prolific acorn production for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Sawtooth oak is now listed as an invasive plant in 8 eastern states.
The objective of this study was to determine whether non-native sawtooth oaks have less caterpillar herbivory than two widespread and co-occurring native oaks – the white oak (Quercus alba) and southern red oak (Quercus falcata). We collected 20 leaves from 20 individuals of each tree species and measured the level of leaf herbivory using the Leafbyte app.
Data were analyzed using a nested ANOVA. We found that southern red oaks had significantly greater leaf herbivory than the non-native sawtooth oaks. However, there was no difference in leaf herbivory between sawtooth oaks and white oaks. Future work should examine the diversity of caterpillar species feeding on each of these oak species.
Keywords: exotic, wildlife management, horticulture, introduced species, habitat management