Attack of the herbivores!

One of the things I'm investigating for my research project is the potential increase in herbivory on Guam as a result of the loss of forest birds. People often say that there are more spiders and insects on Guam, but it has not been researched extensively. This tree, Macarange thompsonii, I think, has been eaten badly by insects of some sort (check out the leaves in the background in the middle- you can see all the holes in the leaves!). I'm headed up to Saipan on Thursday and I'm interested to see how the forests there compare to Guam's in terms of herbivory. Stay tuned....