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Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling

Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling

Published on: December 18, 2011

Do holly leaf spines really deter herbivory?

Daniel A Potter¹, Thomas W Kimmerer¹

¹Department of Entomology and Forestry, University of Kentucky, 40546-0091, Lexington, KY, USA.

|March 18, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Holly leaf spines are not the primary defense against herbivores. A thick cuticle and tough leaf margin deter caterpillars, while saponins and poor nutrition deter mammals.

Keywords:

Ilex opaca Plant defense Schlerophylly Spinescence

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Published on: May 15, 2019

Area of Science:

Plant biology
Ecology
Entomology

Background:

Holly leaf spines are traditionally considered a defense against herbivores.
This assumption is based on limited evidence and misinterpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of holly leaf spines in deterring herbivores.
To compare the effectiveness of spines versus other leaf characteristics in defense.

Main Methods:

Tested caterpillar feeding on intact and modified holly leaves (blunted spines, removed margins).
Observed herbivory by mammals on intact and spine-removed holly.
Compared leaf spinescence and herbivory at different heights in the canopy.

Main Results:

Thick cuticle and tough leaf margins were more effective deterrents than spines for caterpillars.
Mammals did not discriminate between spiny and non-spiny holly leaves.
No correlation found between spinescence and herbivory levels.

Conclusions:

Holly leaf spines are less important for defense against caterpillars than physical leaf structure.
Saponins and poor nutritional quality likely deter mammalian herbivores.
Leaf spinescence variation is likely ontogenetic, not a facultative defense.