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Oecologia

Title:		The inhibition of phenolic biosynthesis in damaged and undamaged birch foliage and its effect on insect herbivores
Author(s):		Hartley SE;
Address:		"Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, YO1 5DD, York, UK"
Journal Title:		Oecologia
Year:		1988
Volume:		76
Issue:		1
Page Number:		65 - 70
DOI:		10.1007/BF00379602
ISSN/ISBN:		1432-1939 (Electronic) 0029-8549 (Linking)
Abstract:		"1. The leaves of Betula pendula Roth trees were damaged artificially, or by insect-grazing. Both induced an increase in phenolic levels in damaged leaves, larger in the case of insect attack.-2. Some of the damaged trees were sprayed with an inhibitor of phenolic biosynthesis, (aminoxy) acetic acid, which led to a reduction in phenolic levels in both undamaged and damaged leaves. Hence both the effects of damage per se and damage-induced changes in foliage phenolic levels on insect feeding preference could be examined using this technique.-3. Herbivore feeding preferences were assessed in the laboratory by comparing damaged and undamaged leaves, with or without phenolic inhibition, using caterpillars of a natural birch feeder, Apocheima pilosaria D. & S. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and a non-birch feeder, Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Neither species showed any significant preferences and appeared indifferent to damage, irrespective of whether the trees had their damage-induced phenolic synthesis blocked.-4. The implications of these results for 'induced defense' theory are discussed"
Keywords:		Belula Feeding-preference Leaf-damage Phenolics Spodoptera;
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEHartley, S E eng Germany 1988/06/01 Oecologia. 1988 Jun; 76(1):65-70. doi: 10.1007/BF00379602"