Adaptive responses of Spongy moth larvae to geographic variation in English oak leaf chemical defences
Context
Insect herbivory is a powerful biotic force shaping the diversity and dynamics of ecological communities. Over millions of years, a complex arms race between herbivores and plants evolved. This has resulted in the origin of a wide range of plant defences including the production of chemicals that make the leaves toxic or less palatable for herbivores. In response to these defences, insect defoliators have developed various strategies to overcome them. This fragile equilibrium prevents herbivores from fully defoliating plants from the tropics to the poles and preserves insect communities.
However, current climate changes (e.g., increasing temperatures and precipitation anomalies) disrupt natural trophic interactions. Insect defoliators are known to extend their ranges in response to warmer winters. Yet not all the members of trophic cascades adapt to changing environments at the same speed. Locally well-adapted herbivores are often poorly adapted elsewhere but adapt faster than locally adapted plants. These mismatches can lead to biodiversity loss, changes in community structure, and shifts in diet as organisms encounter new plant hosts or predators.
Internship objectives
The primary objective of this internship is to assess the feeding efficacy of generalist Spongy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar) from a southern European site when offered with English oak (Quercus robur) leaves sourced from various locations across Europe. This research aims to determine whether these caterpillars can effectively feed on trees that vary in their defensive traits due to geographic and environmental differences.
Tasks assigned to the student
Through this study, the intern will engage in a cafeteria experiment designed to simulate a hypothetical range shift of generalist herbivores to places of different oak populations. By the end of the internship, the student will have gained hands-on experience in experimental design, data collection, and ecological analysis, as well as a deeper understanding of plant-insect interactions in the context of global environmental change. The findings could contribute to a broader understanding of how generalist herbivores respond to changing plant defences across different climatic regions and reveal potential threats to forest conservation.
Profile required
Master 2/ 3A level engineering school. We are particularly interested in applications from students with an enthusiasm for the ecology of communities, manipulative experiments and data analyses.
Practical conditions
The internship will be conducted with the BIOGECO team in Cestas, Pierroton. Following current legislation, the successful candidate will receive a stipend of approximately €550 per month. A start date of February 2025 is desirable, but negotiable.
Contact
anna.mrazova.eco@gmail.com
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