Effects of host plant (horsenettle) genetic diversity and inbreeding on feeding preference and oviposition behavior of specialist herbivore (tobacco hornworm)

Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L., Solanaceae) is an agriculturally important herbaceous perennial weed found throughout the United States. Previous studies have suggested that inbreeding decreases plant fitness, resistance to herbivory, and the production of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s; Delphia et al., 2008, 2009; Mena-Ali et al., 2008). This study examines differences in the volatile organic compounds produced by different maternal families and their inbred and outbred progenies of Horsenettle and determines if these differences affect the feeding preference and oviposition behavior of the specialist herbivore (Tobacco hornworm; Manduca sexta).