Long-term inducible resistance in birch foliage: triggering cues and efficacy on a defoliator

Heavy damage of the mountain birch foliage, as well as application of small amounts of insect frass to the soil beneath the trees, reduced growth of Epirrita autumnata larvae reared in these trees in the following year. Foliage damage in the previous year decreased larval survival, too. Both foliage damage and insect frass in the soil decreased a fecundity index which combined the effects of size and survival. Because application of small amounts of fertilizers had an effect indistinguishable from that of insect frass, the effect of the frass may base on responses of trees to an increase in soil nutrient concentration in mid-summer. In previously untreated control trees, all performance indices (growth, survival, and egg production) of Epirrita correlated positively with the distance of the birch from the closest birch defoliated in the previous year, indicating communication between adjacent trees. Epirrita egg production in trees that had been both defoliated and treated with frass in the previous summer was at least 70% lower than in previously unmanipulated control trees.     

Crowding-triggered phenotypic responses alleviate consequences of crowding inEpirrita autumnata (Lep., Geometridae)

Summary CrowdedEpirrita larvae had shorter larval periods than, and similar pupal masses to, their solitary siblings when reared on low quality diets. When fed on high quality diets, pupal masses of crowded larvae were lower than in singletons, and there was no difference in larval period. Because changes in food availability (absolute shortage, induced resistance in foliage) are caused by high larval densities in the field, crowding-triggered phenotypic changes may helpEpirrita to overcome detrimental consequences of high larval density. Pupal period was longer in crowded larvae than in singletons and crowded adults emerged later than their solitary siblings. Eggs of late emerging moths eclosed late in the ensuing spring, which coincides with delayed leaf flush in the year after defoliation. The reason for the faster growth of crowded individuals on poor diets was higher intake albeit less thorough processing of food in crowded, but not in solitary, larvae. On good diets solitary individuals tended to consume more than crowded larvae but there was no difference in processing. Predicted differences of host plant use between stealthy and opportunistic types of herbivores (sensu Rhoades 1985) were generally found between solitary and aggregated larvae on poor but not on good diets. The group response could not be explained by benefits to the group although the assumptions of Wilson's model of group selection were satisfied.     

Numerical and functional responses of breeding passerine species to mass occurrence of geometrid caterpillars in a subalpine birch forest: a 30-year study

In northern Fennoscandia, the geometrid moths Epirrita autumnata and Operophtera brumata have cyclicities in density with mass occurrence at 10‐year intervals. The larvae of Epirrita and Operophtera attain a size of 2–3 cm and 1.5–2 cm, respectively, and are nutritious food items for passerine birds. To examine whether these larvae have any numerical and/or functional influence on a passerine bird community (mountain birch forest in Budal, central Norway) during a 30‐year period (1972–2001), I estimated their abundance (number of larvae per 100 sweeps) in the birch canopy, and the densities of breeding birds in the passerine community. In addition, from 1972 to 1998, I monitored the nesting success of five of the bird species. The foraging pattern of the most abundant bird species and their gizzard contents (adults and nestlings) were examined in 1972–78 (covering population peaks of both the geometrids). Population peaks of Epirrita occurred in 1975–76, 1985–86 and 1996, and of Operophtera in 1976–77, 1986–87 and 1997–98. The passerine community consisted of eight species that were territorial in all 30 years, one species in 26 years, three species in 14–21 years and three species in 1–4 years. Only the Brambling Fringilla montifringilla population responded numerically to the fluctuations of Epirrita and Operophtera. Brambling was also the only species whose mean clutch size varied between years, and this correlated positively with the density of Epirrita. The mean annual nesting success of Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica and Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea tended to be higher in years with mass outbreaks of Epirrita, but was significantly so only for Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. The abundance of Operophtera larvae showed no influence on the nesting success of any bird species. The passerines foraged more frequently in the birch canopy in the Epirrita outbreak years (1975–76) than in the years before or after. Gizzard analyses of five adult passerine species and their nestlings showed that Epirrita was the main food item in 1974–76. Even though Operophtera occurred in large numbers in birch trees in 1976 and 1977, only a few larvae were found in the gizzards of the passerines. None of the passerines showed an increase in their population density in the year following the larval outbreaks, but the densities of Willow Warbler and Bluethroat increased in the succeeding year, indicating a higher return rate for these species. The study shows the existence of a dietary response and also indicates a reproductive response to the changes in the abundance of Epirrita in mountain birch forest. The lack of numerical response in the passerines (except the Brambling) to the fluctuation in Epirrita contrasts with the pattern described for passerine communities in northern temperate deciduous forests in North America, where Lepidoptera caterpillars periodically have mass outbreaks.     

Sources of variation in rapidly inducible responses to leaf damage in the mountain birch-insect herbivore system

Summary Studies on rapidly inducible resistance in trees against insect herbivores show substantial variation in the strength of responses. Here we report the results of a study which examined causes of this variation. We bioassayed the quality of leaves of two developmental phases (young vs. mature) of the mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa by measuring the growth of two instars of Epirrita autumnata larvae. We used only short shoot leaves from trees of a natural stand, uniform in size and age. Damage was caused by larvae and artificial tearing of leaf lamina, varying the scale and time. We separated seasonal changes in plants from instar-dependent effects of the animals by testing experimental larvae in two subsequent growth trials. We found that only larval-made damage induced responses in leaves that made the leaves significantly poorer quality for the test larvae. Artificial damage induced only weak responses, and artificial canopy-wide damage even caused slight improvement of leaf quality. Cumulative leaf damage did not strengthen birch responses. Leaves that were in the expansion phase responded to damage while fully-expanded, mature leaves showed no response. The pattern of responses indicated that there might be physiological constraints: small-scale damage induced resistance against the larvae but largescale damage did not. Prevalent weather conditions might have modified these responses. Larvae of two instars and sexes, of low- and high-density populations responded to leaf damage similarly. However, prior experience of larvae with the host plant may have affected subsequent larval performance. Variation in rapidly inducible responses in birches was caused by plant characters rather than by test animals.     

Growth performance of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) on mountain birch: trees,broods, and tree x brood interactions

Summary The outcome of herbivore-host plant interactions is partly a function of variation within the two populations. We partitioned variance in herbivore growth performance into components attributable to differences between trees, differences between (full-sib) insect broods, and tree x brood interactions. Growth performance of Epirrita larvae feeding on a small (0.25 ha) population of mountain birch was greatly influenced by differences between individual trees. Up to 49% of the variation in insect growth rate was due to tree effects; 5th instar growth rates ranged from 0.38 to 0.56 mg·mg^-1·day^-1 across a sample of 8 trees. About 25% of the variation in pupal weights and larval periods was due to tree effects; on low quality trees larvae required a longer time to attain lower pupal weights. Differences between trees were also evident in physical and chemical characteristics of the leaves. Insect broods differed in the duration of the larval period (15% of the variance) which led to differences in the pupal weight attained (13% of the variance). However, brood-specific differences in growth rate were modest (6% in the 4th instar) or nonexistent (5th instar). There was no evidence for tree x brood interactions, which refutes the possibility of fine scale adaptation to particular tree phenotypes. Hypotheses to explain the existence of this variability, and to predict its evolutionary and ecological consequences, are advanced.     

Larval parasitism of the autumnal moth reduces feeding intensity on the mountain birch

Plants respond to grazing by herbivorous insects by emitting a range of volatile organic compounds, which attract parasitoids to their insect hosts. However, a positive outcome for the host plant is a necessary precondition for making the attraction beneficial or even adaptive. Parasitoids benefit plants by killing herbivorous insects, thus reducing future herbivore pressure, but also by curtailing the feeding intensity of the still living, parasitised host. In this study, the effect of parasitism on food consumption of the 5th instar larvae of the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata) was examined under laboratory conditions. Daily food consumption, as well as the duration of the 5th instar, was measured for both parasitised and non-parasitised larvae. The results showed that parasitism by the solitary endoparasitoid Zele deceptor not only reduced leaf consumption significantly but also hastened the onset of pupation in autumnal moth larvae. On the basis of the results, an empirical model was derived to assess the affects on the scale of the whole tree. The model suggests that parasitoids might protect the tree from total defoliation at least at intermediate larval densities. Consequently, a potential for plant–parasitoid chemical signalling appears to exist, which seems to benefit the mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) by reducing the overall intensity of herbivore defoliation due to parasitism by this hymenopteran parasitoid.     

The effect of previous defoliation of pole-stage lodgepole pine on plant chemistry,and on the growth and survival of pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea) larvae

Summary A study of the effects of defoliation by insects on the chemistry of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and on the performance of Panolis flammea (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) larvae, was carried out in a forest in northwest Scotland I year after a severe outbreak of P. flammea had caused extensive defoliation. Larval weight and survival were not significantly different on trees that had experienced different levels of defoliation in 1986. The nitrogen and tannin content of current and previous years' pine needles was not significantly affected by defoliation (although both were slightly greater in the foliage of defoliated trees). Phosphorus content of young pine foliage was lower (but not significantly lower except on one occasion) on heavily defoliated trees. On all sampling occasions, however, the nitrogen: phosphorus ratio was significantly higher on heavily defoliated trees. There were large differences in monoterpene composition of the previous year's shoots associated with defoliation intensity, but these differences had largely disappeared in the new growth. The results are discussed in relation to other studies on the effects of insect damage on plant chemistry and insect performance and in relation to the abundance of P. flammea in Scotland.     

Interactive effects of leaf maturation and phenolics on consumption and growth of a geometrid moth

Phenolic compounds are commonly regarded as the main chemical defenses of deciduous woody plants against insects. To examine how indices of leaf maturation (water content, toughness, and sugar/protein ratio) modified larval consumption and growth relative to phenolics and phenolic-related leaf traits, we measured consumption and growth of fourth-instar Epirrita autumnata (Bkh.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) larvae on three different days on young, normal, and mature leaves, respectively, from the same mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii (Orlova) Hämet-Ahti) trees. The larvae achieved the same growth rates on young and normal leaves, but had to consume 40% more on the latter. On more mature leaves, larval growth was poorer and was positively correlated with sugar/protein ratios (although the ratio peaked at that time). Indices of leaf maturation correlated with several phenolics in data pooled over the three study days, but poorly in any individual day. Similarly, in the pooled data, larval consumption and growth correlated with several leaf traits, but correlations between leaf and insect traits were few on any of the three days, and no trait was significant on each of the three days.We next examined whether variation in the maturation indices modified the associations of phenolics with insect consumption and growth. When interactions between phenolics and leaf maturation indices were taken into account, the number of phenolic compounds displaying significant associations with insect traits more than doubled. The relative importance of interactive versus direct associations increased with leaf maturation: on young leaves five phenolics showed direct and eleven interactive associations with insect traits, while in mature leaves we found two phenolics to display direct and thirteen phenolics interactive associations. Leaf water content, either alone or together with toughness and sugar/protein ratio, generally explained more of the variance in Epirrita growth (up to 59%) than any phenolic or phenolic-related trait alone (highest value 20%). Including interactive effects between phenolics and indices of leaf maturation in the model increased the proportion explained of variance in larval growth between 49 and 73%. Maturation indices explained 0 to 23% of variance in consumption, and the phenolic compound with the highest (positive!) correlation alone up to 28%, but taking into account interactions between phenolics and maturation indices raised the degree of explanation much (namely, 32 to 53%) over that explained by indices of leaf maturation alone. This indicates strong interactive effects on consumption between phenolics and indices of leaf maturation.     

Foliar oxidases as mediators of the rapidly induced resistance of mountain birch against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epirrita autumnata</Emphasis>

Induced resistance of the mountain birch against its main defoliator Epirrita autumnata is a well-characterized phenomenon. The causal mechanism for this induced deterioration, however, has not been unequivocally explained, and no individual compound or group of traditional defensive compounds has been shown to explain the phenomenon. Phenolic compounds are the main secondary metabolites in mountain birch leaves, and the biological activity of phenolics usually depends on their oxidation. In this study, we found that the activity of polyphenoloxidases (PPOs), enzymes that oxidize o-diphenols to o-diquinones, was induced in trees with introduced larvae, and bioassays showed that both growth and consumption rates of larvae were reduced in damaged trees. PPO activity was negatively associated with both larval growth and consumption rates in trees with bagged larvae, but not in control trees. Our results suggest that the oxidation of phenolics by PPOs may be a causal explanation for the rapidly induced resistance of mountain birch against E. autumnata. This finding also helps to explain why correlations between insect performance and phenolics (without measuring indices explaining their oxidation) may not produce consistent results.     

Movement and disappearance of mountain birch defoliators are influenced by the interactive effects of plant architecture and induced resistance

Abstract. 1. Changes in herbivore movement and feeding behaviour may determine the efficacy of induced plant resistance by affecting the location of damage within the foliage and by modifying the vulnerability of herbivores to predators. 2. Observations of larval feeding sites were used to test whether induced resistance increased the movement of free‐living Epirrita autumnata Borkh. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) larvae feeding on mountain birch [Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii (Orlova) Hämet‐Ahti]. The amount of defoliation at different canopy parts was measured to test the associated changes in the spread of damage within the foliage. 3. The architectural complexity of trees was measured to test its association with the disappearance of larvae from their hosts. The underlying hypothesis was that the architectural traits of the host plant could affect disappearance by influencing the frequency of herbivores encountering predators. 4. Distance between the consecutive feeding positions, the number of leaves damaged, and consumption of long shoot leaves all increased in trees with induced resistance. 5. Disappearance of larvae depended on the architectural complexity of trees. The effect of complexity differed between defoliation treatments, and may depend on the activity and number of predators in relation to the canopy size. 6. Accordingly, this study suggested that the interactive effects of plant architecture, induced resistance, and herbivore behaviour can determine the performance of herbivores on their host plant.     

Do Insectivorous Birds use Volatile Organic Compounds from Plants as Olfactory Foraging Cues? Three Experimental Tests

Some insectivorous birds orient towards insect‐defoliated trees even when they do not see the foliar damage or the herbivores. There are, however, only a few studies that have examined the mechanisms behind this foraging behaviour. Previous studies suggest that birds can use olfactory foraging cues (e.g. volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by defoliated plants), indirect visual cues or a combination of the two sensory cues. VOCs from insect‐defoliated plants are known to attract natural enemies of herbivores, and researchers have hypothesized that VOCs could also act as olfactory foraging cues for birds. We conducted three experiments across a range of spatial scales to test this hypothesis. In each experiment, birds were presented with olfactory cues and their behavioural responses or foraging outcomes were observed. In the first experiment, two different VOC blends, designed to simulate the volatile emissions of mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) after defoliation by autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata) larvae, were used in behavioural experiments in aviaries with pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). The second experiment was a field‐based trial of bird foraging efficiency; the same VOC blends were applied to mountain birches, silver birches (B. pendula) and European white birches (B. pubescens) with plasticine larvae attached to the trees to serve as artificial prey for birds and provide a means to monitor predation rate. In the third experiment, the attractiveness of silver birch saplings defoliated by autumnal moth larvae versus intact controls was tested with great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) in an aviary. Birds did not orient towards either artificial or real trees with VOC supplements or towards herbivore‐damaged saplings when these saplings and undamaged alternatives were hidden from view. These findings do not support the hypothesis that olfactory foraging cues are necessary in the attraction of birds to herbivore‐damaged trees.     

Lack of strong induced or maternal effects in tussock moths (Orgyia vetusta) on bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus)

Both induced and maternal effects may create delayed negative feedback on the population growth of herbivorous insects. I tested for these effects in a chronically dense population of tussock moths (Orgyia vetusta) feeding on bush lupines (Lupinus arboreus). Experimental bushes received different realistic levels of defoliation by tussock moths in the preceding year, and experimental moth larvae came from mothers that had experienced either high or low levels of crowding as larvae in the previous year. Weight of female moths at pupation was not affected by prior foliar damage, and showed only a weak (12%) effect of maternal crowding. Rates of early larval disappearance, from aerial dispersal (ballooning) or other causes, were unaffected by either foliar damage or maternal crowding, and were very low except when larvae were placed on dead bushes. These results help to explain why the tussock moth population has maintained high densities at the study site for >10 years.     

Induced resistance in mountain birch: defence against leaf-chewing insect guild and herbivore competition

Summary The effect of leaf damage simulating the feeding of early season insect herbivore species, e.g. Epirrita autumnata, to mountain birch, Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa, on the performance of insect larvae was studied with eleven leaf-chewing sawfly species. I found variation in the results that was due to short- and long-term inducible responses and to the phenology of herbivore species. In general, early and mid-season species were more strongly affected by induced reactions than late-season species. This finding is in accordance with earlier results but I could show that the persistance of induced reactions rather than the influence of timing of damage is responsible for the result. The growth of the larvae of mid-season sawfly species was affected by both short- and long-term induced reactions. This result shows that early season species may escape short-term induced reactions of mountain birch in current year but may not avoid long-term effects. It is supposed that seasonal deterioration of leaf quality either masks the effects of induced defences or late-season species are better adapted to low-quality leaves. Some species show variation in their response to induced defence in different years. This may be due to yearly differences in induced reactions as well as to species-specific responses. Induced defence reactions may play a role in competitive interactions between herbivore species in leaf-chewing guild of mountain birch.     

Influence of watering and trenching ponderosa pine on a pine sawfly

Summary Neodiprion autumnalis (Smith) larvae were caged for two successive years on root-trenched, watered, and untreated ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Doug. ex Laws.) to determine effects of host moisture stress on larval feeding. Levels of moisture stress (as measured by the Scholander pressure chamber) differed significantly among treatment levels during 1984 and 1985 larval feeding periods. Differences in larval feeding success were not detected in 1984. In 1985, however, larvae on trenched (stressed) trees clipped and rejected more foliage, consumed more needles, had lower pupal weights, lower survival, and a longer feeding period than larvae on watered or untreated trees. Frass production did not differ among treatment levels. The length of the feeding period was shorter for larvae on watered trees than for larvae on untreated trees, but other measures of feeding success did not significantly differ between watered and untreated trees.     

Variability in the efficacy of delayed inducible resistance in mountain birch

This paper summarizes the results from experiments during 12 years on effects of delayed inducible resistance of mountain birches (Betula pubescens Ehrh. ssp. tortuosa (Ledeb.) Nyman) on performance of a geometrid, Epirrita autumnata (Bkh.). Manual defoliation usually reduced significantly pupal mass of E. autumnata the next summer. The years interacted significantly with the defoliation treatment indicating variation among years in the responses of trees of larvae, or that the methodological differences between different experiments may have affected the results. Potential methodological sources for the annual variability were discussed and found unlikely. In addition, the efficacy of defoliation treatment in reducing the pupal mass was greatest when foliage quality in control trees was best, suggesting a contribution of biological causes to the annual variability.     

Rapid wound-induced resistance in white birch (Betula pubescens) foliage to the geometrid Epirrita autumnata: a comparison of trees and moths within and outside the outbreak range of the moth

Two strains of a geometrid defoliator, Epirrita autumnata, were used in bioassays to test existence and relative efficacy of rapid, wound-induced foliage resistance in two provenances of the white birch. One birch and one moth strain originated in the outbreak range of the moth and another outside it. Both birch provenances responded to manual leaf damage by changes in foliage quality which significantly retarded growth of the insects, reducing their pupal weights and protracting larval periods. Leaves which were previously damaged were lower quality as Epirrita food than adjacent intact leaves. Both of them were lower quality than intact leaves without damaged leaves nearby. Because of variance between years in the efficacy of the response, and because of different transfer distances of the provenances to the common garden where the experiments were performed, we could not ascertain whether there is any overall difference in the efficacy of rapid inducible responses between the provenances. Both moth strains were affected by wound-induced deterioration in foliage quality. There were no differences in how the moth strains experienced inducible resistance in the two birch provenances. Moths achieved relatively higher pupal weights on the birch provenance matching their origin. Moths from the outbreak range completed their larval period in a shorter time and pupated in a smaller size and, due to dependence of fecundity on size, had a lower potential rate of increase than insects outside the outbreak range.     

Plant-mediated interactions between the rice water weevil and fall armyworm in rice

Greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate plant-mediated interactions between an above-ground and a below-ground herbivore when sharing a common host plant, rice (Oryza sativa L). Two common pests of rice were used: the rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, as the root herbivore, and the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) as the foliage-feeding herbivore. Rice water weevil larval performance was assessed by measuring larval density and average weight in response to different levels of defoliation by FAW larvae. The reciprocal experiment was done to evaluate FAW performance (growth rate) in response to RWW feeding. Severe defoliation by FAW decreased RWW densities by 32% and reduced larval weights by 48% compared to larvae on roots of non-defoliated plants. Effects in the converse experiments were not as strong. FAW growth rates were reduced 9–37% when feeding on rice leaves from plants damaged by RWW compared to larvae feed leaves from the no damage treatment. These reciprocal negative effects show that RWW and FAW are potential competitors when sharing a rice plant. Because RWW and FAW did not interact directly, competition was plant-mediated.     

Lack of physiological improvement in performance of Callosamia promethea larvae on local host plant favorites

Summary As a species, the promethea silkmoth, Callosamia promethea (Saturniidae: Lepidoptera) exhibits a wide host range on 6–10 families of plants, although specific populations are known to have local foodplant favorites. We tested the hypothesis that larvae from a particular host plant lineage would show physiological adaptations to this host compared with larvae from other host plant lineages. We found no evidence that larval survival and growth was any better for larvae fed the natural plant of the parental population than for larvae from other host lineages. These natural host lineages include: black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees) and spicebush (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume). The only apparent manifestation of physiological specialization was the inability of tuliptree lineages of C. promethea to survive on paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh), although this may reflect the geographical pattern of adaptation to birch, rather than a negative correlation with adaptation to tuliptree. These results suggest that for C. promethea larvae, growth performance and survival is primarily influenced by plant nutritional quality, rather than physiological adaptations to the locally preferred host plant.     

Delayed induced responses of birch glandular trichomes and leaf surface lipophilic compounds to mechanical defoliation and simulated winter browsing

Changes in morphology and chemistry of leaf surface in response to herbivore damage may increase plant resistance to subsequent herbivore attack; however, there is lack of studies on induced responses of glandular trichomes and their exudates in woody plants and on effects of these changes on herbivores. We studied delayed induced responses in leaf surface traits of five clones of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) subjected to various types of mechanical defoliation and simulated winter browsing. Glandular trichome density and concentrations of the majority of surface lipophilic compounds increased in trees defoliated during the previous summer. This induced response was systemic, since control branches in branch defoliated trees responded to the treatments similarly to defoliated branches, but differently from control trees. In contrast to defoliation treatments, simulated winter browsing reduced glandular trichome density on the following summer and had fewer effects on individual surface lipophilic compounds. Moreover, constitutive density of glandular trichomes was negatively correlated with induced total amount of lipophilic compounds per trichome, indicating a trade-off between constitutive and induced resistance in silver birch. Induced changes in leaf surface traits had no significant effect on leaf damage by chewers, miners and gall mites, but increased susceptibility of birch trees to aphids. However, leaf damage by chewers, miners and gall mites in defoliated (but not in control) trees was correlated with concentrations of some fatty acids and triterpenoids, although the direction of relationships varied among herbivore species. This indicates that induction of surface lipophilic compounds may influence birch resistance to herbivores. Our study thus demonstrated both specificity of elicitation of induced responses of birch leaf surface traits by different types of damage and specificity of the effects of these responses on different types of herbivores.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Different photosynthesis-nitrogen relations in deciduous hardwood and evergreen coniferous tree species

Rapidly induced responses can alter host plant suitability for insect growth and survival. The effects of defoliation on the suitability of potted 5-year-old red pine, Pinus resinosa Ait., for the sawfly Neodiprion sertifer (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), were measured in two experiments. In the first, overall larval growth rate increased on seedlings within 8 days of low (<15%) defoliation. Suitability varied among larval age groups: defoliation increased the performance of older larvae, but not that of young larvae. In the second experiment, larval survival and weight varied non-linearly with defoliation intensity 8 weeks after treatment. Similar responses were observed following artificial and natural defoliation, and on early- and late-season seedlings. These results suggest that some evergreen conifers can respond rapidly to defoliation injury, and that herbivores may simultaneously acclimate to the induced response as they develop. The relative importance of induced response rates to plant-insect interactions is discussed.