Relationships between Spongy Moth egg mass abundance and urbanization in Vermont
Munach, Beyla Sogin, Jenny
Munach, Beyla
Sogin, Jenny
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Abstract
Spongy Moths (Lymantria dispar) are an invasive species that defoliate trees during their larval stage. Repeated defoliation can negatively impact tree and forest health and potentially cause tree mortality. We conducted an observational study to identify the relationship between egg mass abundance and degree of urbanization across nine sites in the Champlain Valley . Our results show that Spongy Moth egg masses are 10 times more abundant in urban areas compared to rural woods, with intermediate values in periāurban forests. These results can inform future monitoring initiatives, management techniques, and further research into the underlying drivers of this pattern.
Description
Undergraduate
Date
2023-01-01