My research investigates whether certain species are more tolerant than others to herbivore effects on fitness, and whether or not tolerance is a contributing factor to a species' fitness in a novel or native habitat. I investigated herbivory tolerance of ten different native, exotic and invasive species in the Lespedeza genus both in the field and in the greenhouse. Additionally, I measured leaf resiliency for each species in order to estimate a species' constitutive herbivore defense. Results showed significant variation in both leaf resiliency and growth response to herbivory among species within the Lespedeza genus. Invasive Lespedeza species produce leaves with lower resiliency, and these species are capable of rapid re-growth following herbivory. Thus, rapid growth and tolerance to herbivory may be important to success in Lespedeza.

L. bicolor after 9 weeks of treatment. 0, 20, 50, and 80% herbivory (left to right)