Defoliating insects

Overgrazing by defoliating insects can disrupt natural forest ecosystems. Defoliation seriously interferes with energy flows: the ingestion of leaves that otherwise would have fallen and decomposed, interferes with normal nutrient cycles. Periodic severe outbreaks by insects such as the gypsy moth, spruce budworm, tent caterpillar, and cankerworm can significantly alter species composition and influence succession.