Canopy insect communities are shaped by the genes and phenotypes of their aspen hosts

We quantified heritability for 13 tree traits, including phenology, defense chemistry, reproduction, and morphology, and for 18 associated insect species. We performed genomic association analyses to identify genetic links to heritable aspen (Populus tremuloides) traits and insect community structure. By linking intraspecific variation to community composition and structure through probable genomic mechanisms, this data set helps demonstrate the salience of the genes-to-ecosystems paradigm in plant-insect systems.