Diets of Breeding Southwestern Willow Flycatchers in Different Habitats

Wiesenborn, William D.; Heydon, S. L.

doi:10.1676/06-101.1

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The continued presence of Tamarix could even enhance the habitat quality of these sites, as well as propagule island restoration sites, because its architectural structure seems useful for encouraging site choice by this and other avian species. Furthermore, SWFL feed on a wide range of arthropods in approximate proportion to their occurrence (Wiesenborn and Heydon 2007), so food resources would also enhanced by availability of larval and adult Diorhabda (Longland and Dudley 2008).…”

Section: Post-biocontrol Vegetation Composition Of Native Plants and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tamarisk biocontrol, endangered species risk and resolution of conflict through riparian restoration

Dudley

Bean²

2011

BioControl

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A long-standing debate between wildlife agencies and biological control researchers and practitioners concerns Diorhabda carinulata Desbrochers (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) introduced to suppress invasive Tamarix spp. (Tamaricaceae), and potential impacts of Tamarix defoliation on endangered southwestern willow flycatchers using this non-native plant as nesting habitat in some western riparian ecosystems. The conflict and ensuing legal actions are currently centered on the presence of D. carinulata within the breeding range of the flycatcher in the Virgin River watershed, which has led to APHIS termination of permits supporting the biocontrol development program and has also affected other programs to develop biocontrol agents against environmental weeds. Central to concerns over wildlife is the lack of rehabilitation of native vegetation where biocontrol is expected, so there are current and planned efforts to promote restoration of native cottonwood-willow habitat to mitigate the anticipation decline in Tamarix cover. A strategic approach to riparian restoration is outlined which could facilitate sustainable, and scientifically documented recovery of this iconic habitat type. While the results of these efforts will not be known immediately, the process which is leading to riparian restoration has brought specialists from both sides of the debate together in search of resolution via collaboration, and if successful, may allow re-initiation of the Tamarix biocontrol program attendant with habitat enhancement for wildlife species of conservation concern.

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Section: Post-biocontrol Vegetation Composition Of Native Plants and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tamarisk biocontrol, endangered species risk and resolution of conflict through riparian restoration

Dudley

Bean²

2011

BioControl

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“…For example, the willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii [Audubon]; Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) is a migratory bird that breeds in riparian habitat and captures aerial insects while flying and hovering (Sedgwick 2000). Diptera were the most-frequent insects eaten by willow flycatchers in southern Nevada and western Arizona, comprising 39% of prey and composed of a variety of families including Tabanidae and Dolichopodidae (Wiesenborn & Heydon 2007). Strongflying Odonata, both dragonflies and damselflies, also were eaten by willow flycatchers with the former likely contributing a large proportion of diet biomass.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Strongflying Odonata, both dragonflies and damselflies, also were eaten by willow flycatchers with the former likely contributing a large proportion of diet biomass. Coleoptera, arthropods categorized as weak-fliers with the lowest P concentrations, comprised 9.5% of prey (Wiesenborn & Heydon 2007). Insectivorous birds like flycatchers that expend greater energy by capturing prey in flight …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Contents in Desert Riparian Spiders and Insects Vary among Taxa and Between Flight Capabilities

Wiesenborn¹

2013

Florida Entomologist

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“…Currently, nothing is known about the palatability or nutritional value of tamarisk beetles for riparian birds. Although coleopterans constitute a significant portion of the diet of many southwestern riparian birds (Drost et al 2003, Yard et al 2004, Wiesenborn and Heydon 2007, Durst et al 2008a, the tamarisk beetle is a member of the family Chrysomelidae, which produce secondary chemicals distasteful to some birds (Hilker andKöpf 1994, Rowell-Rahier et al 1995), so it may be less palatable than other coleopterans.…”

Section: No Change In Bird Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tamarisk Biocontrol Using Tamarisk Beetles: Potential Consequences For Riparian Birds in the Southwestern United States

2011

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The tamarisk beetle {Diorhabda spp,), a non-native bioeontrol agent, has been introduced to eradicate tamarisk (Tamarix spp,), a genus of non-native tree that has become a dominant component of riparian woodlands in the southwestern United States, Tatnarisk beetles have the potential to spread widely and defoliate large expanses of tamarisk habitat, but the effects of such a widespread loss of riparian vegetation on birds remains unknown. We reviewed literature on the effects of other defoliating insects on birds to investigate the potential for tamarisk beetles to affect birds positively or negatively by changing food abundance and vegetation structure. We then combined data on the temporal patterns of tamarisk defoliation by beetles with nest productivity of a wellstudied riparian obligate, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii e.xtimus), to simulate the potential demographic consequences of beetle defoliation on breeding riparian birds in both the short and long term. Our results highlight that the effects of tamarisk bioeontrol on birds will likely vary by species and population, depending upon its sensitivity to seasonal defoliation by beetles and net loss of riparian habitat due to tamarisk mortality. Species with restricted distributions that include areas dominated by tamarisk may be negatively affected both in the short and long term. The rate of regeneration and/or restoration of native cottonwoods (Populus spp,) and willows (Salix spp,) relative to the rate of tamarisk loss will be critical in determining the long-term effect of this large-scale ecological experiment. Control Biológico del Tamarisco por el Escarabajo del Tamarisco: Consecuencias Potenciales para las Aves Ribereñas en el Sudoeste de los Estados UnidosResumen. El escarabajo del tamarisco (Diorhabda spp,), un agente de control biológico no nativo, ha sido introducido para erradicar al tamarisco (7awor/.r spp,), un género de árbol no nativo que se ha vuelto un componente dominante de los bosques ribereños en el sudoeste de los Estados Unidos, Los escarabajos del tamarisco tienen el potencial de dispersarse ampliamente y defoliar grandes extensiones del habitat del tatnarisco, pero no se conocen los efectos de una pérdida tan extensa de vegetación ribereña sobre las aves. Revisamos la literatura sobre los efectos de otros insectos defoliantes sorbe las aves para investigar el potencial de los escarabajos del tamarisco de afectar positiva o negativamente a las aves mediante el cambio en la abundancia de alimentos y en la estructura de la vegetación. Combinamos luego los datos de los patrones temporales de defoliación del tamarisco producidos por los escarabajos con la productividad de los nidos de una especie ribereña obligada bien estudiada, Empidonax trailla extimus. Simulamos las consecuencias demográficas potenciales de la defoliación de los escarabajos sobre las aves ribereñas reproductivas tanto al corto como al largo plazo. Nuestros resultados destacan que los efectos del control biológico del tamarisco sobre las aves...

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Diets of Breeding Southwestern Willow Flycatchers in Different Habitats

Cited by 20 publications

References 23 publications

Tamarisk biocontrol, endangered species risk and resolution of conflict through riparian restoration

Tamarisk biocontrol, endangered species risk and resolution of conflict through riparian restoration

Phosphorus Contents in Desert Riparian Spiders and Insects Vary among Taxa and Between Flight Capabilities

Tamarisk Biocontrol Using Tamarisk Beetles: Potential Consequences For Riparian Birds in the Southwestern United States

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