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Science 13 February 1998:
Vol. 279. no. 5353, pp. 1023 - 1026
DOI: 10.1126/science.279.5353.1023
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Reports

Chain Reactions Linking Acorns to Gypsy Moth Outbreaks and Lyme Disease Risk

Clive G. Jones, * Richard S. Ostfeld, Michele P. Richard, Eric M. Schauber, Jerry O. Wolff

In eastern U.S. oak forests, defoliation by gypsy moths and the risk of Lyme disease are determined by interactions among acorns, white-footed mice, moths, deer, and ticks. Experimental removal of mice, which eat moth pupae, demonstrated that moth outbreaks are caused by reductions in mouse density that occur when there are no acorns. Experimental acorn addition increased mouse density. Acorn addition also increased densities of black-legged ticks, evidently by attracting deer, which are key tick hosts. Mice are primarily responsible for infecting ticks with the Lyme disease agent. The results have important implications for predicting and managing forest health and human health.

C. G. Jones, R. S. Ostfeld, M. P. Richard, Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES), Post Office Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA.
E. M. Schauber, IES and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3042, USA.
J. O. Wolff, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: clivegjones{at}compuserve.com

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