Strong influence of leaf tie formation and corresponding weak effect of leaf quality on herbivory in eight species of Quercus

Abstract

1. Leaf shelter construction by herbivorous insects can improve leaf quality, sometimes changing resultant herbivory. In two experiments in a Missouri (USA) deciduous forest we quantified the impact of leaf tie construction and changes to leaf quality on subsequent leaf damage.2. First, using eight Quercus species, we compared damage to single leaves versus experimental leaf ties that had been stocked with either Pseudotelphusa quercinigracella (Gelechiidae) or Psilocorsis cryptolechiella (Depressariidae) to determine how initial leaf quality (total phenolics) influenced damage caused by shelter inhabitants.Skeletonization by leaf tying caterpillars and leaf edge chewing by free feeding species were 12.2Â and 1.3Â greater on tied than on non-tied leaves, respectively. July and September leaf phenolic content had a slight positive effect on the probability of skeletonization, none on the probability of edge damage, and a weakly positive or negative effect on the intensity of skeletonization and edge damage, depending on leaf position.3. Second, we created experimental leaf ties, protected from herbivores, on the same Quercus species to determine whether tie formation changes leaf quality (total phenolics, nitrogen, water, toughness). Tie formation decreased phenolics, but this change was predicted to add only 0.8% leaf area loss. 4. Synthesis. Herbivory increased dramatically when leaves were in ties, with the effect mostly due to the tie itself rather than a change in leaf quality. We predict that the advantages of building and using leaf ties in this system are more likely to be escape from natural enemies and changes in abiotic factors.

Quality Evaluation of Mustard Microgreens Grown on Peat and Jute Substrate

“…Penetrometers are usually used for determining the texture and firmness of fruits, [12,13] but some studies have also shown the use of penetrometers, which should provide objective data compared to tasters, to determine the toughness and texture of the leaves. Takeuchi and Zalucki [16] used a penetrometer to determine Eucalyptus leaf toughness; Wang et al [17] and Salgado-Luarte et al [18] measured the leaf toughness of different spp. of oak trees and 11 spp.…”

“…The penetrometer is usually used to determine the texture of fruits, for example, apples and strawberries [12,13]. However, some studies have also shown the use of a penetrometer to determine the toughness and texture of the leaves [15][16][17][18][19].…”

Ecosystem engineering and leaf quality together affect arthropod community structure and diversity on white oak (Quercus alba L.)

“…Third, plant traits can modify the attraction of colonists from off the plant, after it has been colonized by shelter builders (Lill and Marquis 2004 ). Finally, shelter building may modify the quality of leaves in shelters, via local induction, and in so doing, influence their use by the herbivore component of colonizers (Sagers 1992 ; Fukui et al 2002 ; Wang et al 2023 ).…”