Arthropods Associated with Invasive (Rosales: Rhamnaceae): Implications for Invasive Plant and Insect Management.

The invasive shrub glossy buckthorn () has been progressively colonizing the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada for more than a century. To determine the dominant arthropod orders and species associated with , field surveys were conducted for two years across 16 plots within the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, USA. Statistical analyses were employed to assess the impact of seasonal variation on insect order richness and diversity. The comprehensive arthropod collection yielded 2845 insects and arachnids, with hemipterans comprising the majority (39.8%), followed by dipterans (22.3%) and arachnids (15.5%). Notably, 16.2% of the hemipterans collected were in the immature stages, indicating as a host for development. The two dominant insect species of were (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and (Diptera: Drosophilidae); utilized fruits for reproduction. Species richness and diversity exhibited significant variations depending on the phenology of . The profiles of volatile compounds emitted from the leaves and flowers of were analyzed to identify factors that potentially contribute to the attraction of herbivores and pollinators. The results of our study will advance the development of novel management strategies leveraging the insects associated with this invasive species.