Abstract

The American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.), a vital keystone species of the Appalachian mountains faced near extinction with the introduction of blight in the early 1900s. Recent cross-hybridization with the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) has allowed for the development of a blight-resistant variety. The impact of this hybridization on insect communities needs to be evaluated as these hybrids are planted through restoration efforts. In the summer of 2023, we conducted a study across three stands featuring American chestnut trees with varying degrees of cross-hybridization (75%, 94%, or 100% American chestnut). We evaluated insect biodiversity aboveground, measured herbivory, and evaluated Asian chestnut gall wasp infestation in each of the stands. Our findings indicated that different hybrid varieties did not have a significant impact on surrounding insect diversity or herbivory on the leaves. However, the Asian chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu.) infestation was significantly different among the stands, with the 75% hybrid stand having the largest infestation and the 100% American chestnut tree stand having the least infestation. These results suggest that cross-hybridized American chestnut trees may not have a significant effect on the overall insect diversity or insect herbivory, but can alter Asian chestnut gall wasp infestation levels. Understanding the effect of cross-hybridized American chestnut trees on insect communities is crucial for anticipating potential pest problems and assessing possible implications for the local ecosystem.

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