Arthropod-Plant Interactions (2022) 16, 129-143

Dávid Korányi and Viktor Markó (2022)
Host plant identity and condition shape phytophagous insect communities on urban maple (Acer spp.) trees
Arthropod-Plant Interactions 16 (1), 129-143
Abstract: By mitigating the negative effects of urbanization, urban trees contribute significantly to the well-being of urban citizens. However, trees themselves are also exposed to urban stress that can influence tree condition and tree-herbivore interactions. Maple species (Acer spp.) are among the most commonly planted trees in urban areas throughout North America and Europe. Among these species, field, sycamore, and Norway maple are native to Europe, but tolerate environmental stress to varying degrees. Here, we compared the phytophagous insect communities in the canopy of these tree species in the city of Budapest, Hungary. We also examined the stress level [expressed as peroxidase (POD) enzyme activity], and physiological condition (expressed as degree of leaf necrosis and leaf fall) of the maple trees, and their relationship to herbivore abundance. We observed higher total abundance of phytophagous insects on field and sycamore maple compared to Norway maple. Most herbivorous species were associated with field maple, sycamore had the highest aphid densities, and Norway maple harbored the least specific phytophagous insect community. Field maple trees were in the best condition while Norway maple trees in the worst condition, i.e., with the highest proportion of necrotic leaf surface area. The super-abundant planthopper species, Metcalfa pruinosa positively affected the POD activity of trees, but did not influence their condition. On the contrary, M. pruinosa abundance was driven by tree condition, with higher numbers on healthier trees. Our findings suggest that the abundance of phytophagous insects in the canopy of maple trees is highly determined by tree condition, and in this study field maple had the highest and Norway maple the lowest tolerance for urban stress.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Viktor Markó

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nezara viridula	Maple (Acer)	Hungary
	Metcalfa pruinosa	Maple (Acer)	Hungary
	Phyllobius oblongus	Maple (Acer)	Hungary
	Drepanosiphum platanoidis	Maple (Acer)	Hungary
	Halyomorpha halys	Maple (Acer)	Hungary
	Periphyllus testudinaceus	Maple (Acer)	Hungary