Dissertation Research: Above and Below Ground Herbivory on Purple Loosestrife: Diversity and Resource Partitioning in Wetland Communities

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The PI proposes a study of the influence of above and belowground herbivores on their host plants. Natural enemies may shape interactions between these herbivores and their hosts and this work will also investigate that aspect. PI Hunt will study weed biological control systems with an assemblage of specialized herbivorous insects and their host plants and natural enemies. In field experiments, root herbivores, leaf herbivores, or both will be released into caged plots of purple loosestrife dominated wetlands. The response of the plant community will be tracked and the PI will add a third trophic level interaction by looking at the effect of generalist predators on the herbivores.