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<p>One of the most common explanations for plant invasiveness is the Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH): introduced plant species leave behind specialized natural enemies (such as herbivores), resulting in less damage in the introduced range, which in turn allows for the greater allocation to growth and reproduction that makes plants invasive. Because not all introduced or naturalized species become invasive, determining the extent of enemy reduction in less invasive species provides an important alternative test of the ERH. To test the ERH in a less invasive species, this study compared herbivory on <i>Solanum carolinense</i> in multiple populations across a latitudinal gradient in both its native (USA) and introduced (Japan) ranges. We found similar herbivore abundances but 15-fold lower damage levels in Japan than the USA. Although reduced damage matches ERH predictions, <i>S. carolinense</i> is not displacing native plants in Japan, nor is it categorized as a highly invasive species. Thus, this study provides a counterexample, where strong insect enemy reduction does not result in extreme invasiveness. As such, it also provides support for recent calls to focus research on the conditions that determine when enemy release occurs in introduced species.</p>

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Enemy reduction on Solanum carolinense in introduced populations in Japan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月24日

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  • Stacey L. Halpern,
  • Takayuki Ohgushi,
  • Shunsuke Utsumi,
  • Tania N. Kim

摘要

One of the most common explanations for plant invasiveness is the Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH): introduced plant species leave behind specialized natural enemies (such as herbivores), resulting in less damage in the introduced range, which in turn allows for the greater allocation to growth and reproduction that makes plants invasive. Because not all introduced or naturalized species become invasive, determining the extent of enemy reduction in less invasive species provides an important alternative test of the ERH. To test the ERH in a less invasive species, this study compared herbivory on Solanum carolinense in multiple populations across a latitudinal gradient in both its native (USA) and introduced (Japan) ranges. We found similar herbivore abundances but 15-fold lower damage levels in Japan than the USA. Although reduced damage matches ERH predictions, S. carolinense is not displacing native plants in Japan, nor is it categorized as a highly invasive species. Thus, this study provides a counterexample, where strong insect enemy reduction does not result in extreme invasiveness. As such, it also provides support for recent calls to focus research on the conditions that determine when enemy release occurs in introduced species.