Endogenous and induced monooxygenase activity in gypsy moth larvae feeding on natural and artificial diets

NADPH oxidase activity was measured in third to sixth instar gypsy moth larvae fed oak or pine foliage. Activity levels ranged from 400 to 1,900 pmol NADPH oxidized/min/mg microsomal protein, but enzyme activity was not correlated with host plant ingested. Similarly, activity levels in larvae fed diets containing inducers, such as the terpenoid α-pinene or pentamethylbenzene, ranged from 700 to 1,500 pmol NADPH oxidized/min/mg protein, levels that were comparable to those measured for larvae fed control diets. O-demethylase activity in older instar gypsy moth larvae fed pine averaged 109 pmol p-nitrophenol/min/mg protein, and activity levels in those fed diet containing α-pinene ranged from 22 to 55 pmol/min/mg protein. Although statistically significant, these induced O-demethylase levels are well below those observed for Heliothis zea larvae. Our findings indicate that monooxygenases play a minor, if any, role in the ability of later instar gypsy moth larvae to develop successfully on pine foliage.     

Effects of CO2-mediated changes in paper birch and white pine chemistry on gypsy moth performance

We examined the effects of CO₂-mediated changes in the foliar chemistry of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and white pine (Pinus strobus) on performance of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). Trees were grown under ambient or enriched CO₂ conditions, and foliage was subjected to plant chemical assays and insect bioassays. Enriched CO₂ atmospheres reduced foliar nitrogen levels and increased condensed tannin levels in birch but not in pine. Foliar carbohydrate concentrations were not markedly altered by CO₂ environment. Gypsy moth performance was significantly affected by CO₂ level, species, and the CO₂ x species interaction. Under elevated CO₂ conditions, growth was reduced for larvae fed birch, while development was prolonged for larvae fed pine. Although gypsy moths performed better overall on birch than pine, birch-fed larvae were influenced more by CO₂-mediated changes in host quality.     

Specificity of Developmental Resistance in Gypsy Moth （Lymantria dispar） to two DNA-Insect Viruses

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae displayed marked developmental resistance within an instar to L. dispar M nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) regardless of the route of infection (oral or intrahemocoelic) in a previous study, indicating that in gypsy moth, this resistance has a systemic component. In this study, gypsy moth larvae challenged with the Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus (AMEV) showed developmental resistance within the fourth instar to oral, but not intrahemocoelic, inoculation. In general, gypsy moth is considered refractory to oral challenge with AMEV, but in this study, 43% mortality occurred in newly molted fourth instars fed a dose of 5×10⁶ large spheroids of AMEV; large spheroids were found to be more infectious than small spheroids when separated by a sucrose gradient. Developmental resistance within the fourth instar was reflected by a 2-fold reduction in mortality (18%–21%) with 5×10⁶ large spheroids in larvae orally challenged at 24, 48 or 72 h post-molt. Fourth instars were highly sensitive to intrahemocoelic challenge with AMEV; 1PFU produced approximately 80% mortality regardless of age within the instar. These results indicate that in gypsy moth, systemic developmental resistance may be specific to LdMNPV, reflecting a co-evolutionary relationship between the baculovirus and its host.     

Competition between the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, and the northern tiger swallowtail, Papilio canadensis: interactions mediated by host plant chemistry, pathogens, and parasitoids

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, and the northern tiger swallowtail, Papilio canadensis, overlap geographically as well as in their host ranges. Adult female swallowtails are incapable of distinguishing between damaged and undamaged leaves, and the opportunities for competition between these two species are numerous. We designed field and laboratory experiments to look for evidence of indirect competition between P. canadensis and L. dispar larvae. Swallowtail caterpillars were reared in the laboratory on leaves from gypsy-moth-defoliated and undefoliated trees to explore host-plant effects. We tested for pathogen-mediated interactions by rearing swallowtail larvae on both sterilized and unsterilized leaves from defoliated and undefoliated sources. In addition, we measured the effects of known gypsy moth pathogens, as well as gypsy moth body fluids, on the growth and survival of swallowtail larvae. Field experiments were designed to detect the presence of parasitoid-mediated competition, as well: we recorded parasitism of swallowtail caterpillars placed in the field either where there were no gypsy moth larvae present, or where we had artificially created dense gypsy moth populations. We found evidence that swallowtails were negatively affected by gypsy moths in several ways: defoliation by gypsy moths depressed swallowtail growth rate and survival, whether leaves were sterilized or not; sterilization significantly reduced the effect of defoliation, and gypsy moth body fluids proved lethal; and swallowtail caterpillars suffered significantly increased rates of parasitism when they were placed in the field near gypsy moth infestations.     

Microbial synergists pathogenic to Lymantria dispar: Chitinolytic and fermentative bacterial interactions

A chitinolytic bacterium isolated from a healthy gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, larva was shown to be pathogenic to larvae when administered per os after growth on chitin broth. However, the chitin hydrolase produced by this isolate had a pH optimum for activity of 5.5 and the high alkalinity in the mesenteron of L. dispar larvae severely limited chitinolysis of the midgut lining. Fermentative, nonpathogenic, acid-producing bacteria isolated from healthy gypsy moth larvae effectively lowered larval mesenteron pH when administered per os and the combination of fermentative isolates with a crude culture aliquot of the chitinolytic strain produced a synergistic increase in mortality over either dose administered by itself. Increased mortality was also observed for most fermentative strains when they were combined with crude supernatants of centrifuged cultures of the chitinolytic strain, although these combinations proved less effective than when fermenters were added to the whole-culture aliquots of the chitinolytic strain. In vitro studies showed that other bacteria isolated from environments foreign to that of the gypsy moth could ferment carbohydrates with acid production at an alkaline pH; however, in vivo studies demonstrated that these bacteria were incapable both of poising larval midgut pH and of enhancing mortality when added to chitinolytic bacteria.     

Host recognition by the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar] [Lep.: Lymantriidae] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster [Hym.: Eurytomidae] of cocoons ofCotesia melanoscela [Hym.: Braconidae]

Artificial and modified natural hosts were exposed to females of the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar (L.)] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster (Swederus), to investigate its host recognition behavior on the primary host, which are cocooned larvae of the gypsy moth parasite,Cotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg). Material(s) which caused drilling behavior by the hyperparasite on host cocoons were extracted with both polar and non-polar solvents. However, cocoons washed with large volumes of solvent still caused substantial drilling activities by females, suggesting that additional cues may be important. Results suggest that host recognition in this hyperparasite involves a variety of host characteristics.      

Some interactions ofSerratia marcescens nucleopolyhedrosis virus andBlepharipa pratensis [Dip.: Tachinidae] inLymantria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae]

The entomopathogensSerratia marcescens Bizio and nucleopolyhedrosis virus were each fed alone and in combination with the parasiteBlepharipa pratensis (Meigen) to 4th-instar gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar, (L.) larvae. At LD₃₀ for NPV, the presence of the parasite enhanced polyhedrosis about 30%, but the total number of gypsy moth larvae and pupae killed (85%) was not significantly different from the number killed by the parasite alone (93%). When the parasite was combined withS. marcencens, a strain nonpathogenic inL. dispar, total mortality was not significantly different from that in insects exposed only to the parasite (89 and 86%, respectively), but parasite survival was reduced about 12%. However, deaths not attributable to the parasite could not be ascribed to the bacterium either.     

Influence of Dimilin on a microsporidian infection in the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Bioassay studies were conducted to investigate the influence of Dimilin (diflubenzuron), a chitinsynthetase inhibitor used for insecticidal control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, on the development and viability of a microsporidian pathogen of L. dispar. Before or after an infection with a Nosema species, L. dispar larvae were fed Dimilin in sublethal dosages. Dimilin fed to L. dispar larvae at 0.65 ng/cm² diet surface resulted in a total larval mortality of 53%. Although the microsporidian infection alone did not cause high mortality rates (9%), mortality increased to 96% when L. dispar larvae were inoculated with both Dimilin and Nosema spores. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h before or 6 days after inoculation with the microsporidium, the number of mature spores produced was significantly reduced. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h after microsporidian inoculation, the number of spores produced was not significantly reduced. Spores that were produced in larvae after Dimilin had been ingested with the diet were less infectious than spores produced in control larvae; the experimental infection rate decreased from 94% when spores obtained from control larvae were used, to 48 or 10% when spores obtained from larvae fed Dimilin 24 h or 6 days after Nosema inoculation, respectively, were used. Mature microsporidian spores washed in Dimilin solution prior to oral inoculation, however, were as infectious as spores stored in liquid nitrogen. We have shown that Dimilin interferes with the establishment of the parasite in its host. In addition, when Nosema sp. succeeds in infecting the L. dispar host despite treatment with Dimilin, the microsporidium does not develop optimally and spore production is reduced.     

Rapid induced resistance of silver birch affects both innate immunity and performance of gypsy moths: the role of plant chemical defenses

In this study we tested the effects of rapid induced resistance of the silver birch, Betula pendula, on the performance and immune defense of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. We also measured the effects of defoliation on the concentrations of plant secondary metabolites, particularly on phenolics and terpenoids. It was found that severe natural defoliation (by moth larvae) of silver birch led to an increase in lipophilic flavonoids on the leaf surface. The concentration of some simple phenolics and monoterpenes (linalool and geraniol) also increased, while that of several glycosides of quercetin decreased. The female pupal weights and survival rates of moths decreased, and larval development time increased, when the insects fed on defoliated trees. However, the feeding of caterpillars with the leaves of defoliated trees led to an increase in lysozyme-like activity in their hemolymph, with an increase in their ability to encapsulate potential parasites. Our data show that the silver birch deploys a rapid chemical defense against gypsy moth larvae. We suggest that lipophilic flavonoids are important compounds in the direct silver birch defense against L. dispar caterpillars. The increased strength of immune defense of insects exposed to trees that had deployed a rapid induced resistance may be an adaptation of the herbivores to resist the rising density of parasites when host population density is high.     

Gypsy moth-induced growth decline of Larix sibirica in a forest-steppe ecotone

Effects of a gypsy moth attack on the productivity of Larix sibirica on tree-ring width were analyzed in a case study of a mountain site in the western Khentey in the northern Mongolian forest-steppe ecotone. A major aim of the study was to assess whether reduced productivity by gypsy moth herbivory could contribute to fluctuations of the forest edge to the steppe in larch-dominated woodlands. In the year of the infestation, larch trees at the forest edge lost 90% of their needles and latewood formation was strongly reduced. However, earlywood formation was widely completed before the gypsy moth attack and, therefore, total tree-ring width was not below the average of the five years prior to infestation. In the two years following the gypsy moth invasion, annual stem increment was strongly reduced. Trees growing 30–100 m inside the forest showed a much weaker response of tree-ring widths to the gypsy moth infestation consistent with significantly higher defoliation at forest edge than in the forest interior. Old trees exhibited a stronger growth decline than middle-aged trees, indicating higher infestation of dominant, exposed trees, which are thought to be better accessible to the wind-dispersed gypsy moth larvae hatching in the early growing season on the steppe. Under the current climate, occasional growth reductions are thought to be of little effect on the performance of L. sibirica, as fast-growing competitors of other tree species, which are not or hardly affected by gypsy moth, are absent.     

Potential interactions between invasive woody shrubs and the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), an invasive insect herbivore

As the range of the invasive and highly polyphagous gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) expands, it increasingly overlaps with forest areas that have been subject to invasion by non-native shrubs. We explored the potential for interactions between these co-occurring invasions through a gypsy moth feeding trial using the following three highly invasive, exotic shrubs: honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), privet (Ligustrum sinense) and burning bush (Euonymus alatus). We compared these with two native shrubs: spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and pawpaw (Asimina triloba). We fed gypsy moth caterpillars foliage exclusively from one of the five shrubs and measured their relative consumptive rate (RCR), relative growth rate (RGR), and development time (DT). The RCR of gypsy moth was strongly influenced by the species of foliage (F = 31.9; P < 0.0001) with little or no consumption of honeysuckle and privet. Caterpillar RGR was influenced by the shrub species (F = 66.2; P < 0.0001), and those caterpillars fed spicebush, honeysuckle or privet lost weight over the course of the assay. Caterpillar DT was also significantly (F = 11.79, P < 0.0001) influenced by the shrub species and those fed honeysuckle, privet and spicebush died prior to molting. Overall, our data suggest that honeysuckle, privet, and spicebush could benefit (indirectly) from the invasion of gypsy moth, while burning bush and pawpaw could be negatively impacted due to direct effects (herbivory). Similarly, invading gypsy moth populations could be sustained on a shrub layer of burning bush and pawpaw in the event of canopy defoliation. Further field and laboratory analysis is needed to clarify herbivore resistance of invasive shrubs, and to investigate the potential interactions among co-occurring insect and plant invasions.     

Influence of Diet and Density on Laboratory Cannibalism Behaviors in Gypsy Moth Larvae (Lymantria dispar L.)

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is an insect folivore that feeds on a broad range of hosts, and undergoes intermittent outbreaks that cause extensive tree mortality. Like many other herbivorous insects, gypsy moth larvae consume a substrate that is low in nitrogen. Gypsy moth larvae have been known to cannibalize under crowded conditions in the laboratory. In this study, we assessed the influence of nitrogen and density on cannibalism behavior in gypsy moth larvae. Cannibalism rates increased with decreased nitrogen and increased density. There was no interaction between these two parameters. Developmental experiments confirmed that low dietary nitrogen is detrimental, in agreement with previous studies. In a second experiment, we assessed the influence of previous cannibalism experiences on subsequent cannibalism behavior. Gypsy moth larvae that had previously cannibalized other larvae subsequently exhibited higher cannibalism rates than those larvae that had not cannibalized. In conclusion, low nitrogen, high larval density, and previous cannibalism experience are important factors contributing to gypsy moth larval cannibalism. Future studies are needed to estimate benefits to larvae, and to more closely approximate field conditions.     

Leaf age effects of elevated CO2-grown white oak leaves on spring-feeding lepidopterans

Folivorous insect responses to elevated CO₂-grown tree species may be complicated by phytochemical changes as leaves age. For example, young expanding leaves in tree species may be less affected by enriched CO₂-alterations in leaf phytochemistry than older mature leaves due to shorter exposure times to elevated CO₂ atmospheres. This, in turn, could result in different effects on early vs. late instar larvae of herbivorous insects. To address this, seedlings of white oak (Quercus alba L.), grown in open-top chambers under ambient and elevated CO₂, were fed to two important early spring feeding herbivores; gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.), and forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hübner). Young, expanding leaves were presented to early instar larvae, and older fully expanded or mature leaves to late instar larvae. Young leaves had significantly lower leaf nitrogen content and significantly higher total nonstructural carbohydrate:nitrogen ratio as plant CO₂ concentration rose, while nonstructural carbohydrates and total carbon-based phenolics were unaffected by plant CO₂ treatment. These phytochemical changes contributed to a significant reduction in the growth rate of early instar gypsy moth larvae, while growth rates of forest tent caterpillar were unaffected. The differences in insect responses were attributed to an increase in the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of early instar forest tent caterpillar larvae feeding on elevated CO₂-grown leaves, while early instar gypsy moth larval NUE remained unchanged among the treatments. Later instar larvae of both insect species experienced larger reductions in foliage quality on elevated CO₂-grown leaves than earlier instars, as the carbohydrate:nitrogen ratio of leaves substantially increased. Despite this, neither insect species exhibited changes in growth or consumption rates between CO₂ treatments in the later instar. An increase in NUE was apparently responsible for offsetting reduced foliar nitrogen for the late instar larvae of both species.     

Compound effects of induced plant responses on insect herbivores and parasitoids: implications for tritrophic interactions

1. Induced plant responses can affect herbivores either directly, by reducing herbivore development, or indirectly, by affecting the performance of natural enemies. Both the direct and indirect impacts of induction on herbivore and parasitoid success were evaluated in a common experimental system, using clonal poplar trees Populus nigra (Salicales: Salicaceae), the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), and the gregarious parasitoid Glyptapanteles flavicoxis (Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). 2. Female parasitoids were attracted to leaf odours from both damaged and undamaged trees, however herbivore‐damaged leaves were three times more attractive to wasps than undamaged leaves. Parasitoids were also attracted to herbivore larvae reared on foliage and to larval frass, but they were not attracted to larvae reared on artificial diet. 3. Prior gypsy moth feeding elicited a systemic plant response that retarded the growth rate, feeding, and survival of gypsy moth larvae, however induction also reduced the developmental success of the parasitoid. 4. The mean number of parasitoid progeny emerging from hosts fed foliage from induced trees was 40% less than from uninduced trees. In addition, the proportion of parasitised larvae that survived long enough to issue any parasitoids was lower on foliage from induced trees. 5. A conceptual and analytical model is provided to describe the net impacts of induced plant responses on parasitoids, and implications for tritrophic interactions and biological control of insect pests are discussed.     

Facilitation between invasive herbivores: hemlock woolly adelgid increases gypsy moth preference for and performance on eastern hemlock

1. Interactions between invertebrate herbivores with different feeding modes are common on long-lived woody plants. In cases where one herbivore facilitates the success of another, the consequences for their shared host plant may be severe. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), a canopy-dominant conifer native to the eastern U.S., is currently threatened with extirpation by the invasive stylet-feeding hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The effect of adelgid on invasive hemlock-feeding folivores remains unknown. 2. This study evaluated the impact of feeding by hemlock woolly adelgid on gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larval preference for, and performance on, eastern hemlock. To assess preference, 245 field-grown hemlocks were surveyed for gypsy moth herbivory damage and laboratory paired-choice bioassays were conducted. To assess performance, gypsy moth larvae were reared to pupation on adelgid-infested or uninfested hemlock foliage, and pupal weight, proportional weight gain, and larval period were analysed. 3. Adelgid-infested hemlocks experienced more gypsy moth herbivory than did uninfested control trees, and laboratory tests confirmed that gypsy moth larvae preferentially feed on adelgid-infested hemlock foliage. Gypsy moth larvae reared to pupation on adelgid-infested foliage gained more weight than larvae reared on uninfested control foliage. 4. These results suggest that the synergistic effect of adelgid and gypsy moth poses an additional threat to eastern hemlock that may increase extirpation risk and ecological impact throughout most of its range.     

Behavioural and physiological plasticity of gypsy moth larvae to host plant switching

Larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), a generalist species, frequently encounter spatial and temporal variations in diet quality. Such variation favoured the evolution of high behavioural and physiological plasticity which, depending on forest stand composition, enables more or less successful exploitation of the environment. Even in mixed oak stands, a suitable habitat, interspecific and intraspecific host quality variation may provoke significant variation in gypsy moth performance and, consequently, defoliation severity. To elucidate the insufficiently explored relationship between gypsy moth and oaks (Fagaceae), we carried out reciprocal switches between Turkey oaks (Quercus cerris L.) and less nutritious Hungarian oaks (Quercus frainetto Ten.) (TH and HT groups), under controlled laboratory conditions, and compared larval performance between the switched larvae and larvae continuously fed on either Turkey oak (TT) or Hungarian oak (HH). We found that larval traits were most strongly affected by among‐tree variation in oak quality and identity of the host consumed during the fourth instar. Switching from Turkey to Hungarian oak (TH) led to a longer period of feeding, decrease of mass gain, growth, and consumption rate, lower efficiency of food use and nutrient conversion, and increase of protease and amylase activities. Larvae exposed to the reverse switch (HT) attained values of these traits characteristic for TT larvae. It appeared that the lower growth in the TH group than in the TT group was caused by both behavioural (consumption, pre‐ingestive) and metabolic (post‐digestive) effects from consuming oaks. Multivariate analyses of growth, consumption, and efficiency of food use revealed that early diet experience influenced the sensitivity of the most examined traits to less suitable Hungarian oaks, suggesting the development of behavioural and physiological adjustments. Our results indicate that lower risks of defoliation by gypsy moth might be expected in mixed stands with a higher proportion of Hungarian oak.     

European field collections and Canadian releases ofCeranthia samarensis (Dipt.: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of the gypsy moth

A programme to collect, import and release into Canada the gypsy moth parasitoid,Ceranthia samarensis (Diptera: Tachinidae) is described. The parasitoid's potential for biological control in Canada is also discussed. The parasitoid was collected in Europe by exposing experimental gypsy moth larvae in areas where local gypsy moth populations were at low densities. Following field exposure, the host larvae were returned to the laboratory and parasitoids reared from them. This technique has shown thatC. samarensis is the suffers 7–16% hyperparasitism. From 83–90% of theC. samarensis typically enter diapause as pharate adults within the puparia. Laboratory tests of post-exposure host rearing conditions indicate that constant temperatures disrupt the normal parasitoid diapause and that this effect can not be offset by use of either static long or short photoperiods or natural daylengths. Shipping and cold-storage procedures for puparia are described. Post-storage time to emergence of adultC. samarensis decreased with longer cold storage periods and with higher post-storage incubation temperatures. Emergence requires 112 degree-days above a threshold of 8°C after a period of at least 8 months cold storage. Releases of adultC. samarensis into field cages at four locations in southern Ontario are documented. While dissection of host larvae from the field cages has failed so far to demonstrate evidence of parasitism, we remain hopeful that some establishment of the parasitoid has occurred.      

Infection of the gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar with the entomogenous fungus,Conidiobolus coronatus

Fourth instar larvae of the gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar (L.) were infected with the fungusConidiobolus coronatus (Cost.) Batko using the spore shower technique for varying periods of time. Larvae treated for more than 20 minutes showed 100% mortality. Virulence of the pathogen was increased by inoculating larvae of the wax moth,Galleria mellonella (L.) three times in serial succession. Typical symptoms of the infection were lightening of color, flaccidity, shrinking and finally desiccation of the larvae. Observations on the histopathology of infected larvae showed penetration of the integument by hyphae within 22 hours after inoculation and at 34 hours post inoculation, the hemocoel, head, nervous system and muscles were completely infected. A localized mycelial growth in the digestive system resulted probably due to the ingestion of spores, but penetration of the gut wall was not recorded.     

Effect of conidial dispersal of the fungal pathogen Entomophaga maimaiga (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) on survival of its gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) host

Several researchers have developed a one-generational computer model that simulates infection prevalence of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, caterpillars by its fungal pathogen, Entomophaga maimaiga. Inputs required are temperature, humidity, and rainfall records, a measure of fungus resting spore load in the soil, and an estimate of gypsy moth larval density. In a previous study, the model accurately tracked fungal-induced host mortality as long as airborne fungal conidia were allowed to disperse freely over a local area. In 2002, dispersal of conidia and its influence on the impact of the fungus on the gypsy moth was investigated. Gypsy moth densities and fungus resting spore loads were measured in 15 plots within a 3 km area. In 7 of the plots, prevalence of fungal disease was determined weekly by collecting and rearing gypsy moth larvae. Different strategies were used to disperse conidia within the model, and resulting simulated prevalence rates were compared to actual data. Model output was most accurate when airborne conidia were permitted to disperse equally to all plots. Thus, to accurately assess the impact of the fungus in one location, it is necessary to take into account fungal activity throughout the local area.     

Variation in the ability of larvae of phytophagous insects to develop on evolutionarily unfamiliar plants: a study with gypsy moth Lymantria dispar and Eucalyptus

• 1 By examining variation in the abilities of polyphagous insects to develop on host plants with secondary metabolites that they have never encountered previously, we may be able to gain some insights into the nature of evolution of biochemical mechanisms to process plant secondary metabolites by phytophagous insects.
• 2 The present study aimed to examine variation in the ability of gypsy moth larvae Lymantria dispar (Lymantriidae) to complete development on different species of the plant genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Leaves of at least some Eucalyptus species contain formylated phloroglucinol derivatives. These are secondary metabolites that are evolutionarily unfamiliar to the gypsy moth.
• 3 Larvae of gypsy moth showed extremely variable responses in larval performance between Eucalyptus species, between individual trees within host plant species, between moth populations, and between individuals within moth populations.
• 4 Larval survivorship was in the range 0–94%, depending on the host. Failure of at least some larvae to complete development on some Eucalyptus species indicates that gypsy moth larvae have a limited ability to process secondary metabolites in eucalypt leaves.
• 5 At least some individuals, however, appear to already possess biochemical mechanisms that process the secondary metabolites in leaves of Eucalyptus species, and therefore the abilities of larvae to complete development on phylogenetically and chemically unfamiliar hosts are already present before the gypsy moth encounters these potential hosts.