Birds feed on moth larvae on a new North American host, exotic Amur Honeysuckle

What is it about?

Amur honeysuckle is an invasive, non-native shrub in North America and other countries outside its native range in the far east. Very few arthropods have been recorded feeding on it anywhere in its native or introduced range. A leaf-mining moth native to North America was found heavily feeding on this shrub in Michigan, USA; this represents a new host in North America. Native bird species were observed feeding on the moth larvae.

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Why is it important?

This represents a new North American host for this moth species, which may be a potential biocontrol insect for this troublesome shrub where it is invasive. Further, in late fall after many insects have been killed by frost at the latitude of these observations, the larvae or pupae can provide food for birds at a time when protein sources are scarce. Overall, this multi-trophic dynamic indicates a recovery of some ecosystem connections in an invaded, urban setting.