由于逃逸了原产地具协同进化历史、专一性天敌的调控，外来植物改变资源分配策略，将部分原本用于防御的资源用于生长，取得相对于本地植物较强的竞争优势，是外来植物成功入侵的重要机制。但是，伴随入侵时间推移，一些本地天敌将在入侵植物上聚集，建立新的植物-天敌互作关系；同时，人们会有意或无意引入外来植物专一性天敌，重新构建植物-天敌互作关系，因而外来植物逃逸天敌调控只是暂时的。
逃逸天敌调控对外来植物防御策略（包括抗性和耐受性）的影响一直备受关注，而入侵地新建立或重新构建的植物-天敌互作如何影响外来植物防御策略（尤其是耐受性），目前研究较少。
中科院武汉植物园入侵植物生物学课题组以入侵植物空心莲子草为对象开展了相关研究，相关研究结果发表于Biological Invasions 杂志。
空心莲子草于上世纪30年代被引入我国，目前在我国长江中下游地区危害特别严重。为控制空心莲子草，我国于1986年引入其天敌昆虫莲草直胸跳甲。同时，本地天敌昆虫虾钳菜披龟甲也对空心莲子草造成危害。然而在空心莲子草发生地域，两种天敌昆虫均呈斑块状分布，即两种天敌只发生于部分地区。
通过比较研究有无天敌昆虫取食历史的空心莲子草种群耐受性水平，研究人员发现：有取食历史空心莲子草种群将更多资源分配到地下组织，显著提高植株对昆虫胁迫的耐受能力，表明取食历史显著提高植物耐受天敌昆虫胁迫的能力；研究同时发现，本地天敌虾钳菜披龟甲和生防天敌莲草直胸跳甲长期取食对空心莲子草耐受性的影响无显著差异。该项工作对于指导外来入侵植物生物防治具有重要的理论价值。（生物谷 bioon.com）
doi:10.1007/s10530-011-0106-8
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History of exposure to herbivores increases the compensatory ability of an invasive plant
Xinmin Lu，Jianqing Ding
Release from natural enemies is frequently cited as an important factor contributing to plant invasions. But such effects are likely to be temporary—native herbivores can form new plant-herbivore associations and co-evolved insects might reach the new range. While the potential effects of the initial enemy release have been well studied, the consequences of any resumption of herbivory are poorly understood. Alternanthera philoxeroides is one of the most widespread invasive plants in China and is attacked both by a specialist herbivore introduced from the native range, Agasicles hygrophila, and a native beetle Cassida piperata Hope which has formed a new association. However, these insects are not found throughout the invaded range. To test the effect of the history of population exposure to herbivory on compensatory ability, plants were cultured from 14 populations around China that differed in whether A. hygrophila or C. piperata were present. Treatment plants were exposed to herbivory by A. hygrophila for a week until 50% of the leaf area was defoliated, then grown for 80 days. Plants from populations with prior exposure to herbivory (of any kind) accumulated more root mass than populations without prior exposure, indicating that prior exposure to insects can stimulate plant compensation to herbivory. We would recommend that potential changes in plant tolerance in response to prior exposure to herbivory are considered in invasive plant management plans that employ bio-control agents.
