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Predator release from invertebrate generalists does not explain geometrid moth (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) outbreaks at high altitudes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2013

Tino Schott ,
Lauri Kapari ,
Snorre B. Hagen ,
Ole Petter L. Vindstad ,
Jane U. Jepsen  and
Rolf A. Ims
Tino Schott*
Affiliation:
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
Lauri Kapari
Affiliation:
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
Snorre B. Hagen
Affiliation:
Bioforsk Soil and Environment, Svanhovd, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
Ole Petter L. Vindstad
Affiliation:
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
Jane U. Jepsen
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
Rolf A. Ims
Affiliation:
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
*
1Correspondence author (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Outbreaks of geometrid defoliators in subarctic birch forest in Fennoscandia often occur at high altitude in a distinct zone along the tree line. At the same time, moth larvae may not have an impact on the forest at lower altitude. Directly adjacent outbreak and nonoutbreak areas offer unique opportunities for studying the underlying mechanisms of outbreaks. Within two altitudinal gradients in coastal northern Norway, we investigated whether altitudinal outbreaks might be caused by release from pupal predation by ground-dwelling invertebrates such as harvestmen (Opiliones), spiders (Araneae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and other beetles (Coleoptera). We predicted a consistently higher abundance of such generalist predators at low versus high altitudes. Our results did not support this prediction. There was no consistent altitudinal variation in the abundance of predators that could be related to zonal moth outbreaks in the birch forest slopes. In addition, none of the predator groups investigated showed any numerical response to a distinct outbreak of winter moth that took place during the course of the study. Consequently, localised moth outbreaks at the altitudinal tree line in northern Norway cannot be explained by the release from pupal predation by the predator groups examined here.

Résumé

Des éclosions massives de géométridés défoliateurs dans les forêts subarctiques de bouleaux de Fennoscandie se produisent souvent à haute altitude dans une zone distincte le long de la ligne des arbres. Au même moment, les larves des lépidoptères peuvent être sans impact sur la forêt à une altitude inférieure. Ces zones directement adjacentes avec et sans éclosions représentent des occasions uniques pour étudier les mécanismes sous-jacents aux éclosions. Sur deux gradients d'altitude sur la côte nord de la Norvège, nous avons vérifié si les éclosions saisonnières pouvaient être dues à la réduction de la prédation des nymphes par les invertébrés vivant au sol, tels que les opilions (Opiliones), les araignées (Araneae), les staphylins (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), les carabes (Coleoptera: Carabidae) et les autres coléoptères (Coleoptera). Nous avons prédit des densités toujours plus élevées de ces prédateurs généralistes aux basses altitudes qu'aux altitudes plus élevées. Nos résultats n'appuient pas cette prédiction. Il n'existe pas de variation régulière de l'abondance des prédateurs en fonction de l'altitude qui pourrait être mise en relation avec les éclosions dans des zones particulières le long des pentes des forêts de bouleaux. De plus, aucun des groupes de prédateurs étudiés n'a montré de réponse numérique à une éclosion bien marquée de l'arpenteuse tardive survenue au cours de l’étude. En conséquence, il n'est pas possible d'expliquer les éclosions localisées de lépidoptères au niveau de la ligne des arbres dans le nord de la Norvège par la réduction de la prédation des nymphes par les groupes de prédateurs examinés dans notre étude.

Type
Behaviour & Ecology
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 145 , Special Issue 2: Arctic Entomology in the 21st Century , April 2013 , pp. 184 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2013

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