Recent developments in Lymantria dispar spread
| Authors: | Jonathan A. Walter, Andrew M. Liebhold |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Proceedings - Paper |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-212-chapter4 |
| Source: | In: Coleman, T.W.; Liebhold, A.M., eds. Slow the spread: a 20-year reflection on the national Lymantria dispar integrated pest management program. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-212. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 70–85. |
Abstract
The spread of spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, formerly known as the "gypsy moth"), in North America arguably represents the best-studied biological invasion in the world, due in part to extensive monitoring data from the USDA National Slow the Spread (STS) Program. In this paper, we focus on recent research on spread, with particular emphasis on findings since the publication of Tobin and Blackburn (2007). Recent advances in understanding L. dispar spread generally fall into three categories: (1) the role of mating success and Allee effects, (2) the effects of geographical variation in climate, and (3) the genetic adaptation of local populations. Some studies have quantified how the strength of the demographic Allee effect varies regionally and interannually, due in part to differences in climate, topography, and landscape structure. Recent observations suggest that climatic suitability of the cold and warm extremes of L. dispar's North American range are higher and lower, respectively, than earlier predictions, and for reasons that are not yet fully clear. Furthermore, data indicate that L. dispar has adapted to local climatic conditions, with convincing evidence of adaptation in traits allowing life stages to tolerate hot spring and summer temperatures in warmer parts of their range. Despite these advances, several opportunities for future research and operationalization of current knowledge remain. One area of future work of potentially high importance is the development of a realistic model of L. dispar spread that could be used for optimizing the STS Program decision algorithm.