Tri-trophic effects of plant defenses: Chickadees consume caterpillars based on host leaf chemistry

Article Abstract:

The effects of variable foliar chemistry of trembling aspen on diet preferences of an avian insectivore feeding on an introduced herbivore, the gypsy moth, were studied by offering black-capped chickadees paired choices of gypsy moth caterpillars feeding on one of three genotypes of aspen that differed in chemical composition. It was observed that chickadees chose to eat caterpillars fed aspen foliage with low levels of both condensed tannins and phenolic glycosides, or caterpillars fed foliage with high levels of tannins and low levels of phenolic glycosides, over caterpillars fed foliage with low levels of condensed tannins and high levels of phenolic glycosides.

Wisconsin, Physiological aspects, Food and nutrition, Acclimatization, Acclimatization (Biology), Caterpillars, Black-capped chickadee, Black capped chickadee

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A meta-analysis of tradeoffs between plant tolerance and resistance to herbivores: Combining the evidence from ecological and agricultural studies

Article Abstract:

A study of the empirical evidence for tolerance-resistance tradeoffs by means of meta-analysis of genetic correlations between resistance and tolerance obtained from 17 different plant species is conducted. The result indicates that conditions under which a negative association between resistance and tolerance occurs and, thus, the evolution of multiple defensive strategies in plants is constrained, are much more restrictive than previously assumed.

United Kingdom, Botany, Plant ecology, Meta-analysis, Forest flora, Forest plants

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Interactions between above- and belowground insect herbivores as mediated by the plant defense system

Article Abstract:

Root-feeding insects appear to change the distribution and level of aboveground plant defenses. Further, interactions between below- and aboveground insect herbivores are probably significantly mediated by induced changes in a plant's secondary chemistry.

Netherlands, Insects

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