Effects of leaf-feeding by larvae of the moth Samea multiplicalis Guen. (Lep., Pyralidae) on the floating weed Salvinia molesta
1988
Julien, M.H. | Bourne, A.S.
Damage sustained by, and growth of, Salvinia molesta in the presence of zero and three population densities of Samea multiplicalis larvae were measured over 15 experiments between spring and autumn using three levels of plant nutrition. At densities of 0.8 and 1.6 per plant larvae severely damaged S. molesta destroying approximately half the leaf area and reducing plant weight and number of ramets. The leaf damage did not induce compensatory growth. Roots and rhizomes remained undamaged and no buds were destroyed, leaving plants with the capacity to continue to grow. Small, but significant, insect feeding induced changes in nitrogen content of tops and roots were observed, nitrogen content decreased in high nutrient plants and increased in low nutrient plants. Knowledge of the nature and intensity of damage caused by a herbivore is insufficient information to allow its effect on a plant population to be predicted
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