Environmental Entomology (1995) 24, 1234-1238

Stephen P. Cook, Harvey R. Smith, Fred P. Hain and Felton L. Hastings (1995)
Predation of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) pupae by invertebrates at low small mammal population densities
Environmental Entomology 24 (5), 1234-1238
Abstract: A census of small mammal populations was taken, and freeze-dried gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), pupae were placed at 6 sites near the leading edge of moth spread into the southeastern United States. Pupal predation was monitored during 3 consecutive nights and a significant relationship between the number of live small mammals and predation was observed. There was a significant inverse relationship between vertebrate and invertebrate predation levels. Pupal predation by vertebrates increased as small mammal density increased, but invertebrate predation apparently decreased with increasing small mammal density. At all sites, pupae were preyed on beginning the 1st night of exposure, suggesting that the native generalist predator complex should exhibit no time lag in recognizing and accepting gypsy moth pupae as a new food item. The percentage of intact pupae preyed on by vertebrates increased from day 1 to day 2 but then declined on day 3. In contrast, invertebrate predation increased from day 1 to day 2 and remained at the higher rate on day 3. These observations are discussed in relation to behavioral characteristics of the predator populations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Stephen Cook

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lymantria dispar		U.S.A. (NE)