The effect of insect herbivory on the growth and fitness of introduced Verbascum thapsus L

0421426 - BÚ 2014 RIV BG eng J - Journal Article
Wilbur, H. D. - Alba, Christina - Norton, A. P. - Hufbauer, R. A.
The effect of insect herbivory on the growth and fitness of introduced Verbascum thapsus L.
Neobiota. Roč. 2013, č. 19 (2013), s. 21-44. ISSN 1619-0033. E-ISSN 1314-2488
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : herbivory * invasive species * fitness
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics

A majority of the plant species that are introduced into new ranges are considered ecologically and economically unproblematic. However, the factors that limit these relatively “benign” species are not well studied. We explored the effect of insect herbivory and surrounding vegetation cover on growth and fitness of the non-native biennial plant Verbascum thapsus (common mullein). We reduced herbivory using an insecticide treatment and compared sprayed plants to those exposed to ambient levels of herbivory. Reducing herbivory increased survival from rosette to reproduction. Of plants that survived, reducing herbivory increased plant area in the first year and plant height, the length of the reproductive spike, and seed set during the second year. Reducing herbivory also increased seed set by 50%, from about 48,000 seeds per plant under ambient herbivory to about 98,000 per plant under reduced herbivory. Overall, we found that herbivore-induced impacts on individual plant performance and seed set are substantial, and thus may hlep prevent this naturalized species from becoming dominant in undisturbed recipient communities.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0227761