Abstract Detail

Ecology

Morgan, Eric C [1].

Indirect impacts of a non-native orchid, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, upon the native orchid flora of Long Island, New York.

With the increase in non-native plant species being introduced throughout the world in recent years, determining the impacts a species may have upon native ecosystems is often an arduous task. With the extensive research needed to document the impacts of an introduced species, many species often “miss the cut” of being designated as an invasive species due to a lack of documented impacts upon native ecosystems caused by these species. One such plant Epipactis helleborine, a non-native orchid introduced to the United States over a century ago, has shown a rapid increase in abundance throughout the Northeastern United States in recent years, and may have escaped criticism due to the unrecognized impacts upon the native orchid flora. While often regarded as a species with little or no impact upon the native ecosystem, data presented here shows E. helleborine to be a preferred food source of the Baridinae weevil, Stethobaris ovata, facilitating the impact of the weevils upon native orchids. To test whether this preference may be impacting the weevil populations, and therefore growth and fitness of native orchid species, a series of both field and laboratory experiments were performed. Food choice tests showed significant results in weevils preference towards E. helleborine, while survival experiments showed a significant increase in survival and feeding upon E. helleborine. A metapopulation based study has been initiated to analyze the seriousness of this impact with early results showing an increased weevil population size on E. helleborine with the likelihood of damage to native orchids significantly increased with the presence of E. helleborine in the area.

1 - Farmingdale State College, Biology, 2350 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, NY, 11735, USA

Keywords:
Orchidaceae
invasive species
epipactis
weevils.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 22, Ecology Section: Invasive Species
Location: 103/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 8:15 AM
Number: 22001
Abstract ID:906
Candidate for Awards:None