Outbreaks of Insect Herbivores on Plants Along Motorways in the United Kingdom

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Abstract
Recent outbreaks of defoliating insects on trees and shrubs used for landscaping major roads in the U.K. are reported. The reasons for some outbreaks were investigated with reference to effects of the roadside environment. An outbreak of Phalera bucephala on Fagus sylvatica was examined each year between 1975 and 1979 and 1 of Euproctis similis on Crataegus monogyna from 1975-1978. The N content of vegetation near a heavily used motorway was greatly enhanced, probably by oxides of N emitted from vehicle exhausts. The increased N content of the plants probably increases the insect populations. The outbreaks were not explained by relaxation of predation.