The Impact of Insects on the Invasive Plant, wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius): A Field Exclusion Experiment

Abstract

The association between the insect community and an invasive grass, Oplismenus undulatifolius, in Maryland and Virginia was examined at two sites, one invaded and one un-invaded. A visual damage assessment was used to examine insect herbivory on leaves from the invaded site. Sticky and pitfall traps set in both sites were used to evaluate the community structure of ground-dwelling insects. Findings from this field experiment showed that 1) insects are feeding on 0. undulatifolius, but insect herbivory has no detectable impact on reproduction or growth and 2) an invasion of 0. undulatifolius does not appear to have a significant impact on the insect community structure. Implications of this study and future research are discussed.