Journal
ECOSPHERE
Volume 14, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4501
Keywords
citizen science; common reed; invasive species; Nipponaclerda biwakoensis; scale insect; social networking service; winter bird
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The invasion of Roseau cane scale, native to East Asia, is causing dieback of common reed stands in the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana. Previous research suggested that Common Reed Buntings and parasitoid wasps play a role in controlling the abundance of Roseau cane scale in its native range. However, little is known about other bird species that may prey on Roseau cane scale or their feeding patterns. This study used web search and citizen science data to identify bird predators and their feeding patterns in Japan.
An invasion of Roseau cane scale, Nipponaclerda biwakoensis, native to East Asia, is associated with recent widespread dieback of common reed stands in the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana. A previous study suggested that, in its native range, the combined mortality from Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus and parasitoid wasps may control the abundance of Roseau cane scale. However, there is limited knowledge about which other bird species may prey on Roseau cane scale or the feeding patterns of these birds. Here we used web search and citizen science monitoring data to tabulate bird predation events on Roseau cane scales across sites in Japan and determine which bird species may be the most important predators and when the observed feeding typically occurs. We scanned web entries using both Google image searches and the social networking services including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Additionally, we accessed long-term field observation records obtained by volunteer monitoring conducted by the members of the Kanagawa Branch of the Wild Bird Society of Japan. By using these citizen science approaches, we detected 16 bird species, mainly Common Reed Bunting but also other migratory and resident species, preying on the Roseau cane scale in reed beds throughout central Japan and most detection occurred during the winter. This study demonstrates that biological information obtained from publicly available data from citizen observers can be useful for exploring ecological patterns of various species including potential predators against invasive species.
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