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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps

Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps

Published on: January 19, 2020

Canopy and knowledge gaps when invasive alien insects remove foundation species.

Thomas E Marler¹, John H Lawrence

¹Western Pacific Tropical Research Center; University of Guam; UOG Station; Mangilao, Guam USA.

Communicative & Integrative Biology

|July 13, 2013

Summary

The invasive armored scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) caused widespread cycad (Cycas micronesica) death. This study highlights critical knowledge gaps in understanding how invasive insects trigger cascading ecosystem changes, especially on islands.

Keywords:

biological invasions ecosystem processes invasion biology

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Published on: September 29, 2023

Area of Science:

Ecology
Invasive Species Biology
Conservation Biology

Background:

The invasive armored scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui, invaded Cycas micronesica populations in 2003.
Epidemic tree mortality resulted from the insect's lack of natural enemies in its new range.
While cycad demographic responses were studied, the broader ecological consequences of this foundation species' decline remain unaddressed.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight information gaps regarding the ecosystem-level impacts of invasive phytophagous insects.
To emphasize the need for research on the ecological responses to the removal of foundation species.
To identify key research areas for understanding global ecosystem change driven by invasive species.

Main Methods:

Quantified demographic responses of Cycas micronesica to Aulacaspis yasumatsui invasion.
Reviewed ecological impacts and identified knowledge gaps concerning invasive insect-induced ecosystem alterations.
Synthesized case study to propose future research directions.

Main Results:

The invasion led to epidemic mortality of Cycas micronesica.
Significant gaps exist in understanding the cascading ecological effects following the loss of a foundation species.
The study identifies specific research needs related to canopy gaps, island ecosystems, and threatened species.

Conclusions:

Alien invasive insects can drive profound, cascading adverse ecosystem changes.
Further research is crucial on the mechanistic role of canopy gaps, oceanic island dynamics, and unique traits of threatened foundation species.
Understanding these factors is vital for addressing global ecosystem change driven by invasive species.