AbstractThis paper reviews the evidence for interactions between insects and oak trees, and shows how these interactions influence oakwood regeneration. First, there are abundant insect species and individuals feeding on leaves and acorns, and insect infestations are nearly always lethal to acorns. Second, quantitative defense effects may be the main strategy that oak trees use to reduce herbivory. And early fall of infested acorns and periodic synchronous mast seeding may be a result of long term evolution in oak trees for defense against insect infestation. Third, defoliation by insect herbivores reduces energy and nutrients required for oakwood regeneration. Insect infestation decreases acorn number and seedlings in woods. Moreover, preference of sound or infested acorns by vertebrates may decrease or increase the number of potential seedlings, resulting in unexpected effects on oakwood regeneration.