Relationships between Spongy Moth egg mass abundance and urbanization in Vermont
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
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.