The koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) has been reported to irrupt on occasion over the past 100 years, sometimes defoliating its host plant, koa (Acacia koa), during the event. This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document temporal abundance patterns and of the koa moth caterpillar (Scotorythra paludicola) during an outbreak of the koa moth that resulted in widespread defoliation of koa across much of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge during 2013-2014. The data set documents numbers of caterpillars collected from koa foliage during the outbreak. To track caterpillar abundance during this event, koa branch tips were clipped from trees and the number of caterpillars within the foliage counted, and the weight of foliage measured.

The koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) is a species of moth that has been reported to irrupt in great abundance on occasion over the past 100 years, sometimes defoliating its host plant, koa (Acacia koa), during the event. This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document temporal abundance patterns of the koa moth (adult stage; Scotorythra paludicola) during an outbreak that resulted in widespread defoliation of koa across much of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge during 2013-2014. The data set documents numbers of moths collected in malaise traps during the outbreak. Malaise traps were deployed at several sites during the outbreak to allow moth abundance to be tracked over time.

The koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) is a species of moth that has been reported to irrupt in great abundance on occasion over the past 100 years, sometimes defoliating its host plant, koa (Acacia koa), during the event. This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document temporal abundance patterns of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) that are known to attack koa moth caterpillars during an outbreak of the koa moth that resulted in widespread defoliation of koa across much of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge during 2013-2014. The data set documents numbers of the parasitoid wasps Hyposoter exiguae (Ichneumonidae) and Meteorus laphygmae (Braconidae) collected in malaise traps during the outbreak. Malaise traps were deployed at several sites during the outbreak to allow moth abundance to be tracked over time.

The koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) is a species of moth that has been reported to irrupt in abundance on occasion over the past 100 years, sometimes defoliating its host plant, koa (Acacia koa), during the event. This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document rate at which koa moth caterpillars were attacked and killed by parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) during an outbreak of the koa moth that resulted in widespread defoliation of koa across much of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge during 2013-2014. The data set documents the fate of caterpillars collected from koa foliage during the outbreak and reared in the lab, as well as the species identification of parasitoid wasps that emerged from caterpillars. The parasitism rate was calculated as the percent of caterpillars from which a parasitoid wasp emerged.

The koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) is a species of moth that has been reported to irrupt in great abundance on occasion over the past 100 years, sometimes defoliating its host plant, koa (Acacia koa), during the event. This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document the amount of frass (caterpillar excrement, which is a proxy for foliage consumed) produced by koa moth caterpillars as they mature through their five larval instars (life stages). In the lab, frass was collected from individual caterpillars representing instars 3, 4 and 5, dried and weighed. From these data, a significant relationship was found between caterpillar instar and the amount of frass produced, which allowed indirect estimates of frass production for instars 1 and 2. The weight estimate for each instar was used to estimate total amounts of frass produced by caterpillars at different times during the outbreak that defoliated much of the the koa at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge during 2013-2014.

Observers assessed the density and monitored the defoliation, refoliation, and survival of koa (Acacia koa) trees during the 2013-2014 outbreak of the koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Koa trees were tagged, classified by size class, and assessed on 55 plots (10-m radius) randomly located in two forest types (reforestation and natural forest) near Pedro and Pua Akala roads.This dataset contains data on the individual koa tree identify, plot location, forest type, size, and defoliation and refoliation dynamics.

This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document the responses of birds to changes in habitat conditions before and after koa (Acacia koa) defoliation by koa moths (Scotorythra paludicola). Data sets document changes in the (1) use of tree species, (2) arthropod composition of diets, and (3) body mass.

This data release includes metadata and tabular data that document the response of koa (Acacia koa) trees to defoliation by the koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) during 2013-2014 at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Data were collected on 55 plots at 4 sites representing 2 habitat types with either high or low koa densities. Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees dominated habitats with low koa density. Data sets document (1) locations and habitat type of forest plots where koa trees were evaluated, (2) density and size of koa trees within plots, extent of koa tree defoliation, rate of koa tree foliage regrowth (refoliation), and koa tree mortality, and (3) counts and relative size of ohia trees for evaluating forest structure within plots.

As part of the study to evaluate the response of koa (Acacia koa) to the 2013-2014 outbreak of koa moths (Scotorythra paludicola) on Hawaii Island, we monitored plots in two habitat types at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. We established 55 plots (each 10-m radius) in reforestation stands of densely planted koa, in which ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) was relatively rare, and in natural forest stands, in which ohia was dominant and koa was less dense.This dataset documents the number and size of ohia trees in each of the 55 plots.

Observers assessed the density and monitored the defoliation, refoliation, and survival of koa (Acacia koa) trees during the 2013-2014 outbreak of the koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola) at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Koa trees were tagged, classified by size class, and assessed on 55 plots (10-m radius) randomly located in two forest types (reforestation and natural forest) near Pedro and Pua Akala roads. Density and size class distribution was also assessed for ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees on each plot. This dataset provides the location data for all plots.