Impact of episodic herbivory by the tamarisk leaf beetle on leaf litter nitrogen and stem starch content: A short communication

Abstract

Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) has in recent decades come to dominate riparian corridors throughout much of the western U.S. The implementation of biological control, utilizing the tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp., particularly Diorhabda carinulata), has focused attention and research on this method for Tamarix suppression. Researchers are just beginning to understand how herbivory by Diorhabda affects Tamarix physiology and nutritional dynamics. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether herbivory by D. carinulata altered leaf litter nitrogen and stem starch content, and if so, how such alteration varied across a gradient of herbivory chronosequence. Leaf litter and stem analysis showed significantly higher levels of both nitrogen and stem starch content in trees that had experienced herbivory by the leaf beetle. However, there were no significant differences in nitrogen or stem starch content based on years of beetle herbivory. Higher levels of nitrogen in leaf litter from beetle-affected trees may be a result of herbivory-induced desiccation and foliar mortality prior to the translocation of nitrogen back into plant reserves. Additionally, higher stem starch may be a result of either phloem damage reducing the translocation of photoassimilates, or an increase in the shunting of carbohydrates to the site of new leaf growth. Finally, the lack of correlation between years of herbivory and both leaf litter nitrogen and stem starch may indicate that as of yet there have not been sufficient defoliation events to yield anticipated host plant impact.