The beginning of the end? Extensive dieback of an open-grown Amur honeysuckle stand in northern Kentucky, USA

Arthropod Communities on Native and Nonnative Early Successional Plants

“…Symptoms of I. deformans start in spring when lesions on new leaves develop, eventually causing leaves to brown and premature senescence (Riffle andWatkins 1986, Beales et al 2004). In a recent survey of L. maackii shrubs conducted around Cincinnati, OH, USA, 61.8% of L. maackii stems were dead, which was approximately 58% more than found in reports from 1989 (3.2%; Boyce et al 2014). Thus far, there has been no studies, to our knowledge, on biocontrol agents for L. maackii; however, a study by Waipara et al (2007) demonstrated herbivore and pathogen damage was low on Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)…”

“…In recent years, some L. maackii shrubs have exhibited dieback because of the presence of a honeysuckle leaf blight fungus (Insolibasidium deformans: Basidiomycete; Boyce et al 2014). This fungus affects individuals of the Lonicera genus and is widespread throughout northcentral and northeastern USA and the UK (Riffle andWatkins 1986, Beales et al 2004).…”

A review on the invasion ecology of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Caprifoliaceae) a case study of ecological impacts at multiple scales

“…In addition to human-induced efforts, there has been some natural dieback of invasive honeysuckle species reported in several states throughout the Midwest, USA (Boyce et al 2014). In recent years, some L. maackii shrubs have exhibited dieback because of the presence of a honeysuckle leaf blight fungus (Insolibasidium deformans: Basidiomycete; Boyce et al 2014). This fungus affects individuals of the Lonicera genus and is widespread throughout northcentral and northeastern USA and the UK (Riffle andWatkins 1986, Beales et al 2004).…”

Native and Invasive Woody Species Differentially Respond to Forest Edges and Forest Successional Age

“…Multiple factors may contribute to the decline of Microstegium and other invasive species, such as succession of competitive native species or accumulation of pathogens [66,67]. Of the invasive species in our study, we are aware of the potential decline of only one species, honeysuckle, which exhibited leaf-blight in the midwestern USA [68], suggesting that this species could be suffering from pathogen accumulation. Additional research is needed to determine how patterns in success of early life-history stages relate to longer-term invasive species success.…”