Leaf nitrogen content and tent temperature as possible drivers of oviposition site selection by the eastern tent moth, Malacosoma americanum.

Abstract

Fitness of semelparous species is highly dependent on availability of resources necessary for growth. Females of the eastern tent moth, Malacosoma americanum have been observed to prefer trees of smaller biomass for oviposition sites, thereby exposing their offspring to a higher risk of defoliation and thus, starvation. However, if smaller trees had higher tent temperatures and/or higher leaf nitrogen content, both of which would result in faster growth rates, then it may be advantageous for a female moth to oviposit on smaller trees. To test whether a negative correlation exists between tree biomass and nitrogen content and/or temt temperature, data was gathered for 20 trees of varyign sizes, and correlation-regression tests were performed. No significant negative correlations were obtained that could suggest an advantage of oviposition preference for trees of smaller biomass. In fact, the only statistically significant results were positive correlations between tree biomass and tent temperature, most of which occurred at 9:00 pm. Therefore, it would appear that the eastern tent moths' oviposition preference for smaller trees is either maladaptive, or adaptive for other reasons yet unknown.