LeafByte: A mobile application that measures leaf area and herbivory quickly and accurately. Issue 2 (7th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Getman‐Pickering, Zoe L.; Campbell, A.; Aflitto, Nicholas; Grele, Ari; Davis, Julie K.; Ugine, Todd A.
• Editors: Ramula, Satu
• Is Part Of: Methods in ecology and evolution. Volume 11:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 215
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2020-01-07
• Subjects: ecology methods -- herbivory quantification -- leaf area -- LeafByte -- planar homography -- plant-herbivore interactions; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.13340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-210X

Abstract

Abstract: In both basic and applied studies, quantification of herbivory on foliage is a key metric in characterizing plant–herbivore interactions, which underpin many ecological, evolutionary and agricultural processes. Current methods of quantifying herbivory are slow or inaccurate. We present LeafByte, a free iOS application for measuring leaf area and herbivory. LeafByte can save data automatically, read and record barcodes, handle both light and dark coloured plant tissue, and be used non‐destructively. We evaluate its accuracy and efficiency relative to existing herbivory assessment tools. LeafByte has the same accuracy as ImageJ, the field standard, but is 50% faster. Other tools, such as BioLeaf and grid quantification, are quick and accurate, but limited in the information they can provide. Visual estimation is quickest, but it only provides a coarse measure of leaf damage and tends to overestimate herbivory. LeafByte is a quick and accurate means of measuring leaf area and herbivory, making it a useful tool for research in fields such as ecology, entomology, agronomy and plant science.