Changes in Reproduction and Architecture in Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida, after Attack by the Dogwood Club Gall, Resseliella clavula

摘要: Plants exhibit a range of responses in growth and reproduction to attack by herbivores from loss, no effect, overcompensation. We assessed herbivore impact on branch architecture, growth, sexual flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, for four years after specialist stem gall-forming fly, Resseliella clavula. estimated the immediate long-term consequences herbivory vegetative flower fruit production marked shoots that were galled or ungalled at outset our study. The response dogwood trees was complex with an initial negative effect production, followed compensatory shoot elongation inflorescence three years, tendency toward overcompensation years. When observations terminated end year three, still suppressed relative shoots. Attack gall-former study caused reduction survival 46% decrease 79% loss After compensation both detected. A within fourth indicated 24% greater 90% more than Compensation surviving involved increases average length number modules produced. Reproductive occurred because gave rise reproductive buds third Our results suggest long-lived species, plant may not be adequate measure fitness. Responses extend several beyond attack, overcompensatory only become apparent growing seasons.