UDTR Global Rights of Nature Radar

Impact of light intensity on sugar maple leaf physical traits and consequences for caterpillar preference and performance

Identification

Public canonical key

radar:r-3829e1da7209e8ab6cbc9d2ae4ffc8e4

Authors

Hakimara, Mahsa · Despland, Emma

Reported year

2025

Reported language

und

Source type

Software

First detected

2026-11-13T08:57:22.425020+00:00

Last metadata observation

2026-11-13T08:57:22.425020+00:00

Last HTTP verification

Not checked

Institutions reported by the source

Concordia University

Documentary abstract — original language

This study investigates the impact of light intensity on the physical defenses of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) saplings and how these defenses affect interactions with insect herbivores. Conducted at the Kenauk Nature Reserve in Quebec, the study involved 12 sites representing both shaded and sunlit environments. Leaf traits, including thickness, specific leaf area (SLA), water content, and toughness, were measured from 216 leaves collected in 2021 and 40 in 2022. To explore herbivore interactions, two Erebid caterpillars including the invasive spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) and the native white-marked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) were used in controlled bioassays that assessed caterpillar feeding preference and performance. The results revealed that sunlit leaves were significantly thicker and had lower SLA compared to shaded leaves across both years. While water content was lower in sunlit leaves in 2021, it showed no significant difference in 2022. Leaf toughness, measured only in 2022, did not significantly differ between sunlit and shaded leaves. Caterpillar feeding preference tests indicated that white-marked tussock moth caterpillars consumed more sunlit leaves, showing a significant preference for them. However, spongy moth caterpillars did not exhibit a significant preference. In terms of performance, white-marked tussock moth caterpillars had a higher survival rate and larger pupal mass on sunlit saplings in 2021, but no significant differences were observed in laboratory feeding initiation assays with first-instar caterpillars in 2022. These findings suggest that a tree's investment in sun leaves to maximise photosynthesis is not necessarily followed by increased defense against herbivory. This research contributes to our understanding of how environmental factors like light can shape plant defense strategies and impact insect herbivore dynamics in temperate forests.

Identifiers

DOI

10.5281/zenodo.13800771

Documentary context

Documentary family

unknown

Source-reported types

Software

Publishers

Zenodo

Entity mentions are not evidence of legal recognition. Jurisdiction studied is separate from author affiliation country.

Sources

DataCite · Record 1

• Document · https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.13800771

Documentary status

Relevance pending

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