Does foliage damage influence predation on the insect herbivores of birch?

J. M. Bergelson, J. H. Lawton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Although both Coleophora serratella (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) and Apocheima pilosaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) suffered significant effects of predation, there was no interaction between the presence of Betula pendula foliage damage and predation rates on either of these herbivores. Presence of foliage damage did not markedly increase movement by either of the herbivores. A simple population model indicates that the effect of foliage damage on herbivore movement is unlikely to be substantial enough to markedly change predation intensity. Overall, there is little support for the hypothesis that foliage damage increases herbivore movement sufficiently to alter predator-imposed mortality of birch herbivores. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)434-445
Number of pages12
JournalEcology
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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