The introduced oak <i>Quercus rubra</i> and acorn‐associated arthropods in Europe: An opportunity for both carpophagous insects and their ant predators

We studied the interactions involving oak acorns and associated arthropods focusing on role of introduced Quercus rubra in Italy. conducted our study areas where native oaks coexist with Q. rubra. carried out a survey inhabiting fallen colonisation experiment. Furthermore, we laboratory experiments documenting among most abundant arthropod species Acorns were colonised by ant carpophagous insects showing different preferences concerning acorns' position within leaf litter species. frequently ants (mostly Temnothorax nylanderi) Cydia fagiglandana. splendana preferred acorns, while Curculio beetles ubiquitous. Our data suggest that occupy exclusively previously attacked Cydia, killing or displacing their caterpillars if still developing inside acorns. Vertebrates may prefer to feed over has meaningful influence The ecological consequences this interaction are not fully clear, yet an increase acorn-consuming insects, partly affecting neighbouring oaks, but also predatory ants.