Abstract
Predation on larvae and pupae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) was studied in a leading-edge population in West Virginia. In 8 thinned and 8 uncut stands, rates of survival of larvae and pupae were monitored in 3 types of exclosures placed at 3 heights in the forest strata. The abundance of small mammals was measured within each of these stands using pitfall traps. 37% of larvae and 25% of pupae were killed by predators over the 3 d of observations each year. Thinning did not influence the proportion of larvae or pupae killed. Survival of larvae and pupae on the ground was significantly lower than that found on tree boles or in the foliage. Differences in survival among exclosure types indicated that invertebrates were the major predators of larvae, and small mammals were the major predators of pupae.
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