The effect of induced plant defense on the performance of light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana

Arctostaphylos densiflora Howard was one of two plants in previous studies to indicate a strong constraint on the performance of Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) with increased LBAM density. In the current study one-meter-tall ornamental manzanita trees (A. densiflora Howard) were inoculated with high or low-density treatment levels of LBAM larvae and left for two days, then the larvae were removed. The plants were left for two days without larvae, after which a low-density of LBAM larvae were introduced to each treatment of inoculated manzanita plants (high, low and control) and left for four days. Pupal weight, survivorship and development time were measured.  Pupae developing from the high-density LBAM inoculation treatment were significantly smaller and had a delayed development time. Survivorship seemed unaffected.