English
Do insect communities differ between native and invasive plants? (Alleen Engelse tekst)
Processes such as climate change and human-mediated dispersal are enabling many plant species to occupy new ranges, where some become invasive pests, disrupting community-level interactions. Many invasive plants are known to be released from their native herbivores and pathogens in their new range, which may enable them to spread and become dominant. However, the mechanisms facilitating these processes are poorly understood. Studies comparing insect communities between invasive and native plants, that are closely related, can provide important information on the responses of native insects to the invader. Moreover, thus far few studies have explored the effects of invasive plants on higher trophic levels, such as parasitoids and predators.
Aim
This project will compare communities of insect herbivores and their natural enemies on four Dutch populations of the invasive plant, Bunias orientalis, and a native plant, Brassica nigra. B. orientalis, originates in SW Asia, has spread over much of central and western Europe in the last two decades. It has become abundant in many parts of Germany, Poland, Czech Replubic and elsewhere, but is still comparatively rare in Holland.
In order to increase our knowledge on the mechanisms facilitating the invasion success, populations of insect herbivores and parasitoids on both plants will be sampled and identified. The field work will be carried out in wild populations of B. orientalis and Br. Nigra growing in different locations within Gelderland Province (Millingerwaard, Dieren and Wageningen). In addition, the insects on B. orientalis plants from different populations of its invasive range (Sweden, Latvia, Germany and The Netherlands) will be sampled in a garden plot at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-CTE) in Heteren (20-30 minutes by bicycle from Wageningen). Lab work will also be performed in the NIOO facilities (click in the link below to see the locations). It is envisaged that the results will be written into a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Duration
By mutual arrangement.
Contact information
Prof. Dr. Marcel Dicke, tel: +31 (0)317 484 311, e-mail: marcel.dicke@wur.nl
Prof. Dr. Louise Vet, tel: +31 (0)294 239 312, e-mail: l.vet@nioo.knaw.nl
Taiadjana Fortuna, tel: +31(0)26 4791 412, e-mail: t.fortuna@nioo.knaw.nl
Dr. Jeff Harvey, tel: + 31 (0)26 4791 312, e-mail: j.harvey@nioo.knaw.nl