Population dynamics of Epirrita autumnata (Lep., Geometridae)

Epirrita autumnata displays regionally regular population cycles in birch forests of northern Scandinavia, Finland and NW Russia. We have studied the roles of different factors (insect life-history traits, parasitism, predation, herbivore-induced responses in host foliage, synchrony between schedules of egg hatching and birch leafing and pollution) as potantial contributors to outbreaks. We have also concentrated on factors preventing outbreaks in southern areas.

Relevant publications:

Haukioja, E. 1980. On the role of plant defences in the fluctuation of herbivore populations. - Oikos 35: 202-213

Haukioja, E., Neuvonen, S., Hanhimäki, S. and Niemelä, P. 1988. The autumnal moth in Fennoscandia. - In: Berryman A. A. (ed), Dynamics of forest insect populations. Patterns, causes, implications. Plenum Press, New York, pp. 163-178

Ruohomäki, K., Hanhimäki, S., Haukioja, E., Iso-Iivari, L., Neuvonen, S., Niemelä, P. and Suomela, J. 1992. Variability in the efficacy of delayed inducible resistance in mountain birch. - Entomol. exp. appl. 62: 107-115

Ruohomäki, K. and Haukioja, E. 1992. Interpopulation differences in pupal size and fecundity are not associated with occurrence of outbreaks in Epirrita autumnata (Lep., Geometridae). - Ecol. Entomol. 17: 69-75

Ruohomäki, K. 1994. Larval parasitism in outbreaking and non-outbreaking populations of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). - Ent. Fenn. 5: 27-34

Tammaru, T., Kaitaniemi, P. and Ruohomäki, K. 1995. Oviposition choices of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in relation to its eruptive population dynamics. - Oikos 74: 29

Ruohomäki, K., Kaitaniemi, P., Kozlov, M., Tammaru, T. and Haukioja, E. 1996. Density and performance of Epirrita autumnata (Lep., Geometridae) along three north European air pollution gradients with heavy metals. - J. Appl. Ecol. 33: 773-785

Tammaru, T. and Haukioja, E. 1996. Capital breeders and income breeders among Lepidoptera - consequences to population dynamics. - Oikos 77: 561-564.

Tammaru, T., Kaitaniemi, P. and Ruohomäki, K. 1997. Realized fecundity in Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae): relation to body size and consequences to population dynamics. - Oikos 77: 407-416

Ruohomäki, K., Virtanen, T., Kaitaniemi, P. and Tammaru, T. 1998. Old mountain birches at high altitudes are prone to outbreaks of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). - Environ. Entomol. 26: 1096-1104

Tanhuanpää, M., Ruohomäki, K., Kaitaniemi, P. and Klemola, T. 1999 Different impact on pupal predation on populations of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera; Geometridae) within and outside the outbreak range. - J. Anim. Ecol. 68: 562-570.

Kaitaniemi, P., Ruohomäki, K., Tammaru, T. and Haukioja, E. 1999. Induced resistance of host tree foliage during and after a natural insect outbreak. - J. Anim. Ecol. 68: 382-389.

Ruohomäki. K., Tanhuanpää, M., Ayres, M., Kaitaniemi, P., Tammaru, T. and Haukioja, E. 2000. Causes of cyclicity of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) - grandiose theory and tedious practice. - Res. Pop. Ecol. 42: 211-223

Tanhuanpää, M., Ruohomäki, K. and Uusipaikka, E. 2001. High larval predation rate in nonoutbreaking populations of a geometrid moth. - Ecology 82: 281-289

Haukioja, E. 2005. Plant defenses and population fluctuations of forest defoliators. – Ann. Zool. Fennici 42: 313 – 325.

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