Betula Populifolia Research Articles

Host Defoliation: a Possible Determinant of Gypsy Moth1 Population Quality

Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), were reared in the field on undefoliated and artificially defoliated gray birch, Betula populifolia Marsh, and black oak, Quercus velutina Lam. The effects of defoliation resulted in reduced pupal weights, longer development time, and reduced survival. These effects occurred in the 1st year of defoliation and were magnified during the 2nd year. These data suggest that defoliation alters the nutritional quality of the host and influences the population dynamics of the insect. Differences in pupal weights and development time were noted among gypsy moths from 6 different localities reared on the same host species. Higher survival, shorter development time, and larger pupae were obtained in rearings on black oak.

Suitability, digestibility and assimilation of various host plants of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L.

The development and survival of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae is strongly influenced by the host plant upon which they feed. The most rapid development and largest pupae were produced from grey birch fed larvae. Beech and maple-fed larvae produced the smallest pupae while maple-fed larvae exhibited prolonged development. White and red oak-fed larvae exhibited development and pupal weights intermediate between the above two groups. The approximate digestibility (AD) and efficiencies of conversion of food (ECD and ECI) were generally highest among grey birchfed individuals. The utilization of the relatively closely related oak species, as reflected in AD and ECD values, differed.Leaves were examined for 14 elements. The content of each element varied among host plant species and over time. For example, nitrogen levels were highest in grey-birch and dropped over time in all host plants.

Distribution of an Endemic Larval Gypsy Moth Population Among Various Tree Species 1

Larvae in a sparse population of the gypsy moth are differentially distributed among red and white oak, red maple, gray birch, black cherry, white pine and hemlock. The greatest larval abundance was on red and white oak. Older instars appear first on red oak and may suggest that development was faster on red oak then on white oak. Larvae occurred in low numbers on all other species but increased on some species in the later stages of development. This may be a result of bark flap selection by late ins tars.

Carbohydrate and Mineral Composition of Gray Birch Syrup

The content of some minerals and free carbohydrate of syrup (50% solids) produced daily from gray birch (Betula populifolia) sap obtained between April 14 and 28, 1976 is reported. Fructose and glucose were the major sugars present and sucrose was a minor component as shown by paper and gas chromatography. Fructose levels were erratic over the tapping period ranging between 283 and 197mg/gm syrup while glucose levels fell from 220 to 179mg/gm syrup between the 16 and 18 of April. Sucrose levels ranged between 2.5 and 0.8mg/gm syrup. Generally, mineral levels showed a rising trend over the tapping season (except Na levels). The range of values reported were Mg, 9310-20700; K, 3930-11800; Ca, 2640-5590; Na, 31-66ug/gm syrup.

INTRODUCTION DE PARASITES ICHNEUMONIDES POUR LA LUTTE BIOLOGIQUE CONTRE FENUSA PUSILLA (HYMENOPTERA: TENTHREDINIDAE) AU QUEBEC

RésuméEnviron 1,300 Lathrolestes nigricollis (Thompson) et 900 Grypocentrus albipes Ruthe (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), ont été libérés au Québec, en 1974 et 1975, pour lutter contre la petite mineuse du bouleau, Fenusa pusilla (Lep.). Ces deux espèces de parasites européens ont été relâchées dans des peuplements de bouleau gris (Betula populifolla Marsh.) de quatre localités de la Vallée du St-Laurent. Les deux espèces ont engendré une progéniture mâle et femelle malgré l’absence d’accouplement bien caractérisé chez G. albipes. Trois générations de parasitoïdes, dont la première a hiverné, ont été enregistrées à la fin de l’été 1975. L’implantation de parasites de F. pusilla se présente jusqu’à date comme une réussite.

A comparative disc electrophoretic study of pollen proteins of Betula populifolia

Pollen proteins of Betula populifolia Marsh. were separated by disc electrophoresis utilizing 7% acid and basic acrylamide gels. Significant variation in amounts of protein available for detection by disc electrophoresis were found. Statistical analysis of our data indicated that: length of storage periods do not affect acid and basic proteins equally; conformational changes in both acid and basic proteins occur with storage; significant migrations of both acid and basic proteins toward the cathode occur after storage.

Effects of Zinc Smelter Emissions and Fire on a Chestnut-Oak Woodland

Zinc ores have been smelted in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, since 1898. Within 2 km of the primary smelter, up to 8% Zn, 1500 ppm Cd, 1200 ppm Cu and 1100 ppm Pb by weight were found at the surface of the A1 soil horizon. Washed, oven—dried foliage of trees located near the smelters contained up to 4,500 ppm Zn and 70 ppm Cd by weight. The Lehigh Gap area of Blue Mountain near the smelters is sparsely vegetated or completely barren over an area of about 485 ha. Forests in burned and unburned areas were sampled for density and cover of trees, shrub, and herb species. Sassafras albidum and Nyssa sylvatica are the most common tree species in the burned, severely denuded areas; Arenaria patula is the most common herb. Very few tree seedlings are found near the smelters. Species which normally invade burned areas, including Populus tremuloides, Betula populifolia, Comptonia peregrina, and Pteridium aquilinum, are rare or absent at Lehigh Gap. Inhibition of seed germination and/or seedling growth by high levels of soil Zn is probably preventing establishment of these invader species. Quercus rubra and Pinus strobus seedlings planted in pots of high Zn soil collected near the smelters produced much less root and shoot growth than normal. Minimum toxic foliar levels for Q. rubra are approximately 250 ppm Zn and between 5 and 30 ppm Cd. Arenaria patula tolerated 100 ppm Zn in sand culture and a foliar content of 13,000 ppm Zn, and is probably a zinc—tolerant ecotype. Solution concentrations of up to 100 ppm Zn and 10 ppm Cd did not affect seed germination of Q. rubra, B. populifolia, and P. tremuloides, but at these metal concentrations the radicle fails to elongate. Radicle elongation occurs, but is significantly reduced, at > 1 ppm Zn or > 5 ppm Cd in solution culture. Saturation extracts of soils collected 1—5 km from the smelter contained 40—1.6 ppm Zn and 1.0—0.02 ppm Cd; thus only the Zn content of soils within 5 km of the smelter appears high enough to stunt root growth. The combined stresses of high soil—zinc levels plus fire appear to be the primary cause of the vegetation damage at Lehigh Gap. Either stress alone would have caused much less damage. Erosion and desiccation are important secondary factors preventing revegetation of the barren areas.

THE POTENTIAL FOR IMPACT OF INUNDATION OF TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION ON THE WATER QUALITY OF QUABBIN RESERVOIR – COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS1

ABSTRACT: Drought in the 1960's lowered Quabbin Reservoir levels and exposed extensive shore areas for up to 12 years. Several vegetation types including gray birch, spirea, reed and cottonwood invaded the exposed shore and were subsequently submerged when water levels rose in 1972–73. Biomass of the flooded vegetation is estimated at 14,000 tons. Using literature‐derived estimates of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the vegetation, the potential nutrient release to the reservoir is about 140 tons of N and 14 tons of P. These amounts are comparable to the N and P input into the reservoir during a single year of the planned diversion from the Connecticut River. The critical factor of rate of release of these nutrients by decomposition is the subject of continuing study.

Comparative protein population investigation of the Alnus serrulatarugosa complex

The data from electrophoretic and serological studies with proteins extracted from pollen from: eight populations of the Alnus serrulata-rugosa complex indicate that some bands of the protein pattern (Type A bands) were consistently present in all the samples collected from various populations. The Type A band pattern was not influenced by individual genotypes or environmental differences. Attempts to use bands other than those of Type A in the characterization of populations within the complex did not prove valuable. The importance of using a sample size large enough to cope with the problem of variability within a population was revealed. The data obtained by the use of qualitative serological techniques (Ouchterlony method) agreed with those obtained by the quantitative turbidimetric procedure (Boyden procedure). Serology differences among populations within the complex were not detected. However, marked differences were detected when compared to Betula populifolia, another genus in the same family. All but one sample of seeds of the complex studied revealed 95% sterility because of abnormal embryo development. Viability pollen tests of the 14 samples from the eight populations revealed 94–99% viability. We believe that a taxonomic treatment which designates this complex as one species with varieties or subspecies is the best interpretation of the data available from diverse disciplines and several independent studies.

Disc Electrophoretic Study of Pollen Proteins from Natural Populations of Betula populifolia in New Jersey

Pollen proteins from individual trees of eight natural populations of B. populifolia Marsh. located in diverse physiographic provinces of New Jersey were separated by disc electrophoresis with 7 % acid and basic acrylamide gels. Specific stains and substrates for detecting general proteins, esterase, and leucine aminopeptidase isoenzymes were utilized. Average Rp values, 95 % confidence intervals, and percentage similarity values were calculated. Dendrograms were constructed to illustrate protein similarity among populations. The effects of increasing the concentration of protein samples subjected to electrophoresis and storage of pollen (4 C over 16 months) were investigated. After statistical analysis we concluded that: each protein system investigated revealed different amounts of intra- and interpopulation variation, different population ranking (determined by amount of variation), and different population similarity groupings; conclusions based on the comparisons of numbers of protein bands were not always valid; disc electrophoretic data revealed information about natural selection and gene flow; the effect of increasing pollen protein concentration was quantitative; with storage pollen proteins increased in overall positive charge.

Pollen longevity in birch (Betula)

To carry out reciprocal crosses between birch species which vary by several weeks in their time of anthesis, the period of pollen viability has been determined for three species, Betula populifolia, B. cordifolia, and B. papyrifera. Pollen viability decreased from 85–95% at the time collected to 32–44% after being stored at room temperature (23–27 °C) for 30 days and to 1.0–1.5% after 60 days. In contrast, pollen germination for pollen stored at 2–5 °C for 105 days fell only to 46.0% for B. populifolia and 20.5% and 21.5% for B. cordifolia and B. papyrifera, respectively.

Systemic Insecticides Against the Spirea Aphid Birch Leaf Miner, and Nantucket Pine Tip Moth12345

Granular 10% disulfoton used at rates of 20 or 30 lb and aldicarb used at a rate of 20 lb active ingredient per acre gave excellent control of 3 generations of birch leaf miners, Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier), on gray birch when applications were made either Feb. 29 or Mar. 27. Granular 10% phorate applied Apr. 4 at a rate of 30 lb active ingredient per acre and cultivated into the soil in 7-inch hands at both sides of the rows gave good control of the 2nd summer generation of Nantucket pine tip moths, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock), on Japanese black pine. No material tested was effective against the 1st summer generation. Granular 10% disulfoton applied May 3 at rates of 10 or 20 lb active ingredient per acre to rock cotoneaster in containers was effective against the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, until at least Aug. 11.

Description de la tourbière à sphaignes Mer Bleue près d'Ottawa. I. Végétation

The "Mer Bleue" is an important 5000-ac peat bog situated 10 mi east of Ottawa. Phytosociological and ecological studies proved that the Mer Bleue is a Sphagnum ombrotrophic raised bog. A total of 10 associations and 3 subassociations are recognized and described, including 2 new associations (Sphagno–Calamagrostetum and Polytricho–Populetum). The most important communities are heath associations (Chamaedaphne and Ledum) and black spruce stands.Occasional fires retard normal succession here and there and a ditch dug in 1938 is changing irrevocably the physiognomy of the east section where drainage permits the invasion of Vaccinium myrtilloides, Populus tremuloides, Betula populifolia, and many herbs usually excluded from an ombrotrophic bog. Sphagnum magellanicum is the most widespread of the 54 bryophytes encountered. Chamaeophytes are dominant in ombrotrophic sites, being somewhat replaced by hemicryptophytes where minerotrophic conditions prevail.

Distribution of Bidrin in the Foliage of Treated Trees1

A 4-year study was made of the distribution patterns of Bidrin®. (3-hydroxy-N-N-dimethyl-cis-crotonamide dimethyl phosphate) and/or its metabolites in the foliage of trees treated by different methods. Thirteen species of nursery-grown trees were used: sugar maple, Acer saccharinum L.; gray birch, Betula lutea Michx.; flowering dogwood, Cornus florida L..; Washington hawthorn, Crataegus Phaenobyrum Mel.; “Moraine Ash,” Fraxinus holotricha “Moraine”; green ash, F. pennsylvanica L..; “Moraine Locust,” Gleditsia triacanthos “Moraine”; American sycamore, Platanus occidentatis L..; eastern red oak, Quercus borealis Michx.; black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia L..; common lilac, Syringa vulgaris L..; American basswood, Tilia americana L.; and an ornamental variety of elm, Ulmus americana var. ascendens Slavin. Leaf samples were taken from various sectors of the tree crown and were used for bioassays with Daphnia pulex DeGeer. Distribution patterns were significantly better following root implants than following trunk implants.

A TECHNIQUE FOR REARING COCCINELLID BEETLES ON DRY FOODS, AND INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS POLLENS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COLEOMEGILLA MACULATA LENGI TIMB. (COLEOPTERA:COCCINELLIDAE)

A technique is described for rearing a coccinellid on a dry, particulate food. Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timb. (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) was reared from first-instar larva to adult on the pollens of corn, gray birch, hemp, and hornbeam, and on the dried and powdered nymphs and adults of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch.) (Homoptera:Aphididae).

Red Squirrels Feeding at Sapsucker Holes

At the end of June, 1957, while studying nesting yellow-bellied sapsuckers ( Sphyrapicus v. varius ) in Tamworth, New Hampshire, I had opportunities to watch red squirrels ( Tamiascirus hudsonicus ) feeding at sapsucker holes in gray birches ( Betula populifolia ). The sapsuckers continually revisited a relatively few trees to obtain sap for their young. These trees happened to be predominantly gray birches. Sapsuckers might visit their best trees every 2 to 4 minutes and one pair had two such birches only 15 feet apart. On June 21, a red squirrel ran up to the band of holes on one birch, lapped vigorously, then ran over to feed on the second one, finally returning to lap again on the first tree. Such visits were observed daily for one week. The earliest visit …

OBSERVATIONS ON THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF A PLANT COMMUNITY FOLLOWING A FOREST FIRE

The origin of the species on a burned-over area in southwestern Nova Scotia was determined by means of covered plots, and the early stages of succession were followed closely for two years. All of the herbaceous and shrub species which appeared on the area during the first two years were survivors of the fire. Bracken fern showed unquestionable dominance the first year, but its position was severely contested by other herbaceous species and the heath plants during the second year. Seedlings of grey birch and large-toothed aspen appeared the second year and were restricted to patches of bare mineral soil. Sucker growth of red oak, red maple and grey birch was rapid, but it was pruned heavily by deer feeding.

Caste and Territory in Malabar

American AnthropologistVolume 56, Issue 3 p. 410-420 Free Access Caste and Territory in Malabar ERIC J. MILLER, ERIC J. MILLER Cambridge, EnglandSearch for more papers by this author ERIC J. MILLER, ERIC J. MILLER Cambridge, EnglandSearch for more papers by this author First published: June 1954 https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.1954.56.3.02a00100Citations: 16AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL REFERENCES CITED Achyuta Menon, C. 1911 The Cochin State manual. Ernakulam, Cochin Government Press. Barbosa, Duarte 1918 (-1921) The book of Duarte Barbosa. Edited by Mansel Longworth Dames. 2 vols. London, The Hakluyt Society. Buchanan, F. 1807 A journey from Madras through Mysore, Canara and Malabar. 3 vols. London. Correa, Gaspar 1869 The three voyages of Vasco da Gama, and his viceroyalty. Translated (from Lendas da India) by Lord Stanley of Alderley. London, The Hakluyt Society. Dalboquerque, Afonso 1875 (-1883) The commentaries of the great Afonso Dalboquerque, second viceroy of India. Translated (from the Portuguese edition of 1774) and Walter de Gray Birch 4 vols. London, The Hakluyt Society. Duncan, Jonathan 1799 Historical remarks on the coast of Malabar, with some description of the manners of its inhabitants. Asiatic Researches 5: 1– 36. Gough, E. Kathleen 1952 Changing kinship usages in the setting of political and economic change among the Nayars of Malabar. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 82: 71– 88. Hamilton, Alexander 1727 A new account of the East Indies. 2 vols. Edinburgh. Hutton, J. H. 1947 Caste in India: its nature, function, and origins. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Innes, C. A. 1908 Madras district gazetteers: Malabar and Anjengo. Edited by F. B. Evans. Madras, Madras Government Press. Joint Commission 1862 Report of a joint commission from Bengal and Bombay appointed to inspect into the state and condition of the province in Malabar, in the years 1792 and 1793. Madras. Krishna Ayyar, K. V. 1938 The Zamorins of Calicut (from the earliest times down to A.D. 1806). Calicut. Logan, William 1887 Malabar. 2 vols. Madras, Madras Government Press. Miller, Eric J. 1952 Village structure in north Kerala. The Economic Weekly 4: 159– 64. Bombay. Padmanabha Menon, K. P. 1924 (-1937) A history of Kerala, written in the form of notes on Visscher's letters from Malabar. 4 vols. Ernakulam, Cochin Government Press. Panikkar, K. M. 1929 Malabar and the Portuguese. Bombay, D. B. Tarapolevala Sons & Co. Panikkar, K. M. 1931 Malabar and the Dutch. Bombay, D. B. Tarapolevala Sons & Co. Phillips, George 1896 Mahuan's account of Cochin, Calicut, and Aden. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, pp. 341– 51. Sonnerat M. 1782 Voyage aux Indes orientales et à la Chine. 2 vols. Paris. Thurston, E. 1909 Castes and tribes of southern India. 7 vols. Madras, Madras Government Press. Citing Literature Volume56, Issue3June 1954Pages 410-420 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Additional records of old field birch, Betula populifolia Marsh., in Ontario

Additional records of old field birch, Betula populifolia Marsh., in Ontario

Seasonal Course of Height Growth in Some Hardwoods in Connecticut

Growth in height is one of the most obvious responses which trees make each spring to the change of the seasons. This growth starts early in the spring, reaches a peak, and falls off to cease in mid-summer while the days are still long. Increasing temperature largely determines the time at which growth starts in the spring. What factors determine the time of its most rapid growth or, particularly, what factors cause it to cease growing, are not known. A considerable amount of work has been done in determining the seasonal course of height growth in conifers, particularly plantation grown trees, but very few data are available on the time of height growth in hardwoods. The height growth of conifers has been studied in relation to the time of weeding of plantations, with little regard for the time of height growth of the hardwood species which must be cut out to aid the growth of the planted conifers. Casual observation of the growth of sprouts from recently cut stumps of red maple and of gray birch made it clear that they grew almost all summer long, while the shoots of older trees apparently grew very rapidly as the leaves emerged, slowed down, ceased growing, and formed winter buds in mid-summer or before. This variation in growth behavior between trees and sprouts and its relation to weather conditions was made the subject of investigations extending over a period of four years. The period of height growth in conifers has been studied by several American investigators (Baldwin '31, Stevens '31, and Tryon and Finn '37) and by numerous Europeans of which the most extensive work is that of Burger ('26). The hardwood species have been studied by Klebs ('14), Bfisgen ('16), and by Burger ('26), while Illick ('19) seems the first to have investigated height growth in this country. Illick ('19) states that most native and introduced trees at Mont Alto, Pennsylvania put on 90 per cent of their height growth in less than 40 days. Most species cease growing in late May and early June; only a few still continue growing in July. Biisgen ('16) gives the time of beginning, ending, and the period of most rapid growth for a number of species native to Hannover-Munden, Germany. Beech, he reports, starts growth the last half of April, increasing to a peak of most rapid growth (10-30 mm. per day) about May 15, and ceasing about May 23. Oak responds similarly. Maple and ash both rise gradually to a peak about May 15-17.