Induced defenses in plants may be physical or chemical. Physical defenses include increased density of structures such as spines, thorns or trichomes and chemical responses include the production of defensive secondary compounds. While tannins, which constitute a diverse group of C-based (phenolic) secondary compounds, are found in most classes of vascular plants, oaks (Quercus spp.) are probably the best known producers of tannins. In the current study, we investigated the effects of simulated herbivory on the level of tannins in the leaves of turkey oak (Quercus laevis). Herbivory of leaves was simulated using a hole punch and was localized to one-half of the leaves in either the lower, middle or upper one-third of the tree canopy. Trees were placed into one of three groups: no damage (controls), low damage (10 holes/leaf) or high damage (20 holes/leaf). Because trees averaged < 3 m in height, each tree could be easily and completely sampled. We then measured rates of leaf abscission and the survivorship and density of a guild of leafminers in trees from both damaged and non-damaged trees/zones.
Species 1: Fagaceae Quercus laevis (turkey oak)
Species 2: (leafminers)
Keywords: tannins, herbivory
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