The suitability of leaves from different canopy layers for a generalist herbivore (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) foraging on sugar maple

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Fortin ◽  
Yves Mauffette
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Vertical Stratification ◽  
Malacosoma Disstria ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Forest Canopies ◽  
Generalist Herbivore ◽  
Biological Performance

Variations of leaf suitability within forest canopies may have important consequences for the biology of phytophagous insects. In this study we examined over 4 consecutive years (1994–1997), the influence of vertical stratification of leaves within a sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stand on biological performance and feeding preference of Malacosoma disstria Hbn. Each year, 10 healthy sugar maple trees and about 15 understory sugar maple seedlings were selected. Leaves were collected from the lower (3–6 m above ground) and the upper crown (20–25 m above ground) sections of the trees and from seedlings. Sampled leaves were set in Petri dishes for insect rearings in controlled environment. The performance of the insect, especially pupal masses and the number of eggs of adult females, was higher when larvae were fed with leaves from the upper crown section of trees. Results for the feeding preference tests showed that larvae of fourth instars consumed more surface area from leaves collected in the upper crown section of the trees. More total nitrogen found in leaves from the upper tree crown could explain the higher performance of this insect. Our results confirm the importance of the heterogeneity in leaf suitability along a vertical stratification in forests by its influence on biological performance and feeding preference of M. disstria.

Temperature and food quality effects on growth, consumption and post-ingestive utilization ef.ciencies of the forest tent caterpillar Malacosoma disstria (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.R. Levesque ◽  
M. Fortin ◽  
Y. Mauffette
Keyword(s):  
Food Quality ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Malacosoma Disstria ◽  
Forest Tent Caterpillar ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Leaf Quality ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Tent Caterpillar

AbstractTemperature and food quality can both influence growth rates, consumption rates, utilization efficiencies and developmental time of herbivorous insects. Gravimetric analyses were conducted during two consecutive years to assess the effects of temperature and food quality on fourth instar larvae of the forest tent caterpillar Malacosoma disstria Hübner. Larvae were reared in the laboratory at three different temperatures (18, 24 and 30°C) and on two types of diet; leaves of sugar maple trees Acer saccharum Marsh. located at the forest edge (sun-exposed leaves) or within the forest interior (shade-exposed leaves). In general, larvae reared at 18°C had lower growth rates and lower consumption rates than larvae reared at the warmer temperatures (24 and 30°C). Moreover, the duration of the instar decreased significantly with increasing temperatures. Type of diet also affected the growth rates and amount of food ingested by larvae but did not affect the duration of the instar. Larvae fed sun-exposed leaves consumed more food and gained higher biomasses. Values of approximate digestibility and efficiency of conversion of ingested food were also higher when larvae were fed sun-exposed leaves. Higher growth rates with increasing temperatures were primarily the result of the shorter stadium duration. The higher growth rates of larvae fed sun-exposed leaves were possibly the result of stimulatory feeding and consequently greater food intake and also a more efficient use of food ingested. This study suggests that the performance of M. disstria caterpillars could be enhanced by warmer temperatures and higher leaf quality.

Decay of birdseye sugar maple (Acer Saccharum) and curly red maple (Acer Rubrum)

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-297
Author(s):  
Tara Lee Bal ◽  
Katherine Elizabeth Schneider ◽  
Dana L. Richter
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Red Maple

High light intensity stress as the limiting factor in micropropagation of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)

2017 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amritpal S. Singh ◽  
A. Maxwell P. Jones ◽  
Mukund R. Shukla ◽  
Praveen K. Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
High Light Intensity ◽  
High Light ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Intensity Stress

American beech and sugar maple sapling relative abundance and growth are not modified by light availability following partial and total canopy disturbances

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bannon ◽  
Sylvain Delagrange ◽  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Canopy Opening ◽  
Unmanaged Forest

Studies have reported divergent results on the effect of soil fertility and canopy opening on understory density and growth of sugar maple (AS; Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (FG; Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gradient of canopy opening and soil fertility on the density and growth of AS and FG saplings in southwestern Quebec, Canada. We investigated 56 stands containing both AS and FG that were subjected to different disturbance history types (DHTs) (UF, unmanaged forest; PC, partial cut; and CC, clearcut) on various soil types. AS and FG absolute and relative sapling density varied greatly among the 56 stands; however, no significant effects of DHT, soil nutrient availability, or their interaction were found. Both species responded positively in terms of radial growth to canopy openings, with FG growth being slightly better than AS growth in PC stands compared with other canopy treatments. Contrary to our hypothesis, AS did not show significantly higher growth than FG following clear-cutting. These results do not support the idea that AS abundance and growth could be promoted by increasing the intensity of the canopy opening during harvest, at least on the generally acidic and base-poor soils that were investigated.

scholarly journals Three sympatrically occurring species of Metarhizium show plant rhizosphere specificity

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (10) ◽  
pp. 2904-2911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wyrebek ◽  
Cristina Huber ◽  
Ramanpreet Kaur Sasan ◽  
Michael J. Bidochka
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Root Exudate ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Metarhizium Robertsii ◽  
Grass Roots

Here we tested the hypothesis that species of the soil-inhabiting insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium are not randomly distributed in soils but show plant-rhizosphere-specific associations. We isolated Metarhizium from plant roots at two sites in Ontario, Canada, sequenced the 5′ EF-1α gene to discern Metarhizium species, and developed an RFLP test for rapid species identification. Results indicated a non-random association of three Metarhizium species (Metarhizium robertsii, Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium guizhouense) with the rhizosphere of certain types of plant species (identified to species and categorized as grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees). M. robertsii was the only species that was found associated with grass roots, suggesting a possible exclusion of M. brunneum and M. guizhouense. Supporting this, in vitro experiments showed that M. robertsii conidia germinated significantly better in Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) root exudate than did M. brunneum or M. guizhouense. M. guizhouense and M. brunneum only associated with wildflower rhizosphere when co-occurring with M. robertsii. With the exception of these co-occurrences, M. guizhouense was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of tree species, predominantly Acer saccharum (sugar maple), while M. brunneum was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of shrubs and trees. These associations demonstrate that different species of Metarhizium associate with specific plant types.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document