The mapping of changes in the distribution of insect-caused forest damage remains an important forest monitoring application and challenge. Efficient and accurate methods are required for mapping and monitoring changes in insect defoliation to inform forest management and reporting activities. In this research, we develop and evaluate a LiDAR-driven (Light Detection And Ranging) approach for ma...

The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a major parasite of cotton in the U.S., and management tactics for this nematode attempt to minimize population levels. We compared three post-harvest practices for their ability to reduce nematode population levels in the field, thereby reducing initial nematode population for the next year's crop. The three practices tested were: 1) c...

The frequency and intensity of insect outbreaks have increased in boreal forests, along with associated impacts on the growth economic losses host trees. In Finland, common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.) is a serious pest, causing declines health responses Scots (Pinus sylvestris L.). We focused investigating species’ defoliating impact tree radial volume estimated value declined growth. Managed...

The cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta F., is a serious defoliator of plantation Populus in the United States. Current control methods include biorational and synthetic chemicals as well as selecting Populus clones resistant or tolerant to C. scripta defoliation. SpeciÞc ratios of long-chain fatty alcohols to alpha-tocopherylquinone ( -TQ) on the leaf surface of Populus spp. act as phag...

The exotic vines Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. and Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench have become increasingly invasive in lowand high-light habitats in North America, and a biological control program is being developed. These plants experience little damage in North America, so it is unclear how they might respond to introduced herbivores. I conducted an artificial defoliation study on ...

Defoliation by the European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) and subsequent tree mortality have been well documented in the northeastern United States. In this study we evaluate tree mortality after initial defoliation in mixed pine-hardwood stands in the southeastern United States as the range of European gypsy moth expands. In 1993, 46 mature pine-oak and pine-sweetgum stands were selected on...

High nutrient availability and defoliation generally reduce ectomycorrhizal colonization levels in trees, but it is not known how this affects the functional aspects of mycorrhizal symbiosis. It was therefore investigated whether (1) defoliation or increasing substrate N availability reduce C allocation from the plant to the fungus and N allocation from the fungus to the plant (symbiotic resour...