Wound-induced changes in the acceptability of tomato to larvae of Spodoptera littoralis: a laboratory bioassay

Abstract. 1. Leaves of tomato (cv. Moneymaker) were artificially damaged and offered to Spodoptera larvae at a range of intervals following damage. Grazing levels on these leaves were compared with those on undamaged leaves on the same or different plants.
2. In separate experiments, three leaves in a middle position on the main stem were clipped and after 48 h grazing levels on undamaged leaves above and below those damaged were compared with similar leaves from control plants.
3. Within 8 h, grazing levels on damaged leaves were significantly lower than those on control leaves, and within 24 h, leaves adjacent to damaged ones were similarly affected. These effects persisted for at least 7 days and leaves above and below those damaged were affected. There was up to nine-fold reduction in area consumed.
4. The possible ecological consequences of reduced palatability at these levels are discussed.