Heliothis subflexa is a specialist noctuid frugivore that feeds only on plants in the genus Physalis (Solanaceae). A closely-related generalist moth, H. virescens, does not use Physalis as a host. Studies have shown that the inflated calyx surrounding Physalis fruit serves as enemy-free space for H. subflexa. However, larvae must consume multiple fruit to complete development, leaving larvae vulnerable to predation and parasitism while moving between fruit. Puente et al (in prep) found that H. subflexa feeding damage elicits fruit abscission by Physalis angulata more often than mechanical damage or no damage. This study also found that ~80% of the H. subflexa larvae tested left before consuming the fruit entirely and before the fruit abscised. Additional potential predators on the ground may increase risk of predation to larvae that leave the fruit after abscission. To gauge the cost to H. subflexa of leaving the fruit after fruit abscission and to examine if H. subflexa demonstrates specialized behavior regarding fruit abscission in Physalis, field studies were done tracking the behavior and fate of both H. subflexa and H. virescens larvae that leave before or after fruit abscission. Preliminary work shows that frequency of fruit abscission in response to larval feeding varies in different Physalis species. Differences between three Physalis species in terms of response to larval feeding were also quantified. Data from these studies will be presented in the context of the apparent value of such a defense tactic by Physalis.