Differentiated plant defense strategies: Herbivore community dynamics affect plant–herbivore interactions

Abstract

Plant-herbivore interactions account for much of the biodiversity observed in an ecosystem. Plants may alter defense expression dependent on the specific herbivore present. Many studies focus on the optimization of these defenses against a single herbivore, but in an ecological context, there may be a myriad of herbivores at any given time. We designed a study to examine defenses employed by swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) against insects and large mammals. We established six deer exclosures with trees located inside and

Plant Responses to Herbivory, Wounding, and Infection

“…In tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), herbivore attacks cause upregulation of flavonoid-related genes, leading to flavonoid accumulation and inducing a defense response against the tea green leafhopper [139]. Tannins, which are anti-nutritional compounds, are also induced following attack, to reduce the nutritional quality of plant tissues for insects [140]. In plantinsect interactions, tannins build complexes that reduce the amount of nitrogen, thereby preventing insects from hydrolyzing proteins by inhibiting their digestive enzymes [141].…”

“…In plantinsect interactions, tannins build complexes that reduce the amount of nitrogen, thereby preventing insects from hydrolyzing proteins by inhibiting their digestive enzymes [141]. However, some insects possess tannin-binding salivary proteins that may reduce the negative effects of tannins [140].…”

Changes in white oak (Quercus alba) phytochemistry in response to periodical cicadas: Before, during, and after an emergence

“…Plant–insect interactions are subjected to continuous variation, creating a dynamic system. These types of interactions drive the distribution and abundance of plant and insect populations (Maron & Crone, 2006 ; Moreira et al, 2018 ; Viskorpi et al, 2019 ), affect energy and nutrient flow in an ecosystem (Chomel et al, 2016 ; Yang & Gratton, 2014 ), and drive evolutionary mechanisms affecting biodiversity within a system (Benton et al, 2021 ; Moreira et al, 2018 ; Perkovich & Ward, 2022 ). The intimate associations between plants and insects in a shared ecosystem can produce beneficial activities, including pollination (Ebling et al, 2018 ; Losapio et al, 2021 ) and insect defense of plants (Ashra & Nair, 2022 ).…”

“…To reduce insect attack, plants may use defense strategies such as plant secondary metabolite (PSM) production (Erb, 2018 ; Karban & Baldwin, 1997 ; Perkovich & Ward, 2022 ) or differential resource allocation (Perkovich & Ward, 2021a , 2021b , 2021a , 2021b ; Wiley et al, 2017 ). Optimal defense theory predicts that plants increase defenses to minimize immediate herbivore threats (Herms & Mattson, 1992 ; Stamp, 2003 ).…”

“…are a dominant tree genus spanning the periodical cicada's range and are preferred host trees (Clay et al, 2009b ; C. Perkovich & D. Ward, unpublished data). In response to herbivory, oak species have several strategies to prevent further tissue damage (Perkovich & Ward, 2022 ). One strategy is to increase defensive chemical production (e.g., polyphenols) (Pearse & Hipp, 2012 ; Wold & Marquis, 1997 ).…”