Stem Borer Frequency and Composition in Healthy Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) and Dieback Zones in a Southern Atlantic Coast Salt Marsh

Unprecedented Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) dieback has recently plagued Atlantic and Gulf coast US salt marshes. The hypothesized drivers of dieback vary geographically but include drought and herbivory. Stem-boring insect larvae may also contribute to dieback, but have thus far been overlooked. Here we describe stem borer frequency and composition among healthy S. alterniflora morphs (tall and short) and dieback zones in Dean Creek Marsh on Sapelo Island, GA. Overall stem borer frequency was highest in tall morph S. alterniflora and dieback zones (present in 46.7% and 39.5%, respectively). Healthy habitat types were characterized by six stem borer families with only two of those families observed in dieback zones. Taxa from these two families, previously reported by others to cause stem death, were found at their highest frequency in dieback zones. Although we cannot infer causation, our results raise the possibility of stem borers contributing to the formation of dieback zones, meriting further research.