Meeting Abstract

P3-128  Tuesday, Jan. 6 15:30  Size dependent herbivory of stems within patches of an understory clonal tree, Asimina triloba, by an outbreaking specialist herbivore, Omphalocera munroei. PAULSON, T J*; MERCADER, R J; University of Tennessee tpaulson@vols.utk.edu

1. The effect of herbivorous insect population outbreaks on understory plant dynamics are relatively understudied. In particular, the influence of herbivore behavior during outbreaks on plant patch dynamics is poorly understood. 2. During the summer of 2012 an outbreak of a specialist herbivore asimina webworm moth, Omphalocera munroei was observed. The asimina webworm feeds exclusively on the common paw-paw, Asimina triloba, a patch forming clonal understory tree.3. Within patches 63.4% of the observed individual paw paws experienced over 75% defoliation.4. Results indicate that individual size within a patch, neighbor size, and neighbor damage were significant predictors of infestation level. Results indicate a strong potential for moth ovipositional behavior and population size to influence patch dynamics.