The effects of induced defense mechanisms of Populus tremuloides and Fagus grandifolia on the growth of Lymantria dispar larvae.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of induced defense mechanisms in aspens on the growth of Lymantria dispar and to test whether beech trees have defense mechanisms that would affect the growth rate of gypsy moths. Our prediction stated that the growth rate of the gypsy moths fed damaged aspen and beech would be inhibited when compared with the moths fed undamaged aspen and beech. The moths were fed damaged and undamaged aspen and beech leaves and their initial weights were compared with their final weights. We found that caterpillars that fed on damaged aspen leaves grew less than caterpillars that fed on undamaged aspen leaves. This finding was statistically backed up. We also found that there was no statistically significant correlation in inhibited growth rates in the moths fed damaged and undamaged beech.