New research suggests that hotter, drier climate conditions in North America will lead to increased survival rates of the invasive spongy moth, as the fungus that controls their population diminishes. This will likely result in severe defoliation of forests, prompting concerns regarding ecological impacts and the management of invasive species amidst climate change.
Recent research conducted by the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory indicates that climate change will facilitate the spread of the invasive spongy moth across North America. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, highlights how increasing temperatures and decreasing moisture levels will undermine the growth of a fungus that typically helps control spongy moth populations. This fungus, known as Entomophaga maimaiga, has played a crucial role in managing moth numbers since its introduction; however, under the predicted climatic conditions, its efficacy is likely to diminish sharply, leading to increased tree defoliation and forest damage.
Greg Dwyer, PhD, Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago and the senior author of the study, emphasized the necessity of considering the interactions among multiple species in climate change models. Dwyer noted, “The vast majority of previous climate change studies look at individual organisms, but a small amount of climate change can have a big effect when you compound it across multiple species.”
The spongy moth, which was accidentally introduced to North America in the 19th century, has caused significant ecological damage by feeding on various tree species. Its population has been partially controlled by the aforementioned fungus, yet recent findings suggest that the anticipated hotter and drier climate will reduce fungal infection rates, allowing more moths to survive.
Dwyer and his team utilized advanced modeling techniques, incorporating detailed climate data to develop more accurate predictions concerning spongy moth outbreaks. Their grim findings project increasing survival rates for these invasive pests, a phenomenon that predicts more extensive forest defoliation in the coming decades due to decreased biocontrol from E. maimaiga.
The spongy moth, *Lymantria dispar*, originated from Europe and became established in North American forests in 1869. Its populations have historically been kept in check by the fungal pathogen *Entomophaga maimaiga*, which first appeared in 1989. Climate change poses a significant threat to these natural controls, as rising temperatures and fluctuating moisture levels may create conditions that favor the moths while hindering their fungal predators. This research is pivotal in understanding broader ecological impacts that climate change may impose on invasive species and forest ecosystems.
The research underscores a critical relationship between climate change and invasive species management. The findings suggest that as climate conditions worsen, the balance previously maintained by natural controls like *E. maimaiga* is at risk, leading to potentially devastating consequences for North American forests. As Greg Dwyer cautions, the issue may be more severe than current models predict, highlighting the urgent need to reevaluate and adapt forest management strategies in the age of climate change.
Original Source: www.technologynetworks.com
