Relationships between Spongy Moth egg mass abundance and urbanization in Vermont

Presenter's Name(s)

Beyla Munach
Jenny Sogin

Conference Year

2023

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 peri-urban forests. These results can inform future monitoring initiatives, management techniques, and further research into the underlying drivers of this pattern.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Noelia Barrios-Garcia

Status

Undergraduate

Student College

Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources

Program/Major

Environmental Sciences

Primary Research Category

Life Sciences

Abstract only.

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Relationships between Spongy Moth egg mass abundance and urbanization in Vermont

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 peri-urban forests. These results can inform future monitoring initiatives, management techniques, and further research into the underlying drivers of this pattern.