Effect Of Host Plants Research Articles

Effects of host plant and genetic background on the fitness costs of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis

Novel resistance to pathogens and pesticides is commonly associated with a fitness cost. However, measurements of the fitness costs of insecticide resistance have used diverse methods to control for genetic background and rarely assess the effects of environmental variation. Here, we explored how genetic background interacts with resource quality to affect the expression of the fitness costs associated with resistance. We used a serially backcrossed line of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, resistant to the biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis, to estimate the costs of resistance for insects feeding on two Brassica species. We found that fitness costs increased on the better-defended Brassica oleracea cultivars. These data were included in two meta-analyses of fitness cost experiments that used standardized protocols (and a common resistant insect stock) but which varied in the methodology used to control for the effects of genetic background. The meta-analysis confirmed that fitness costs were higher on the low-quality host (B. oleracea); and experimental methodology did not influence estimates of fitness costs on that plant species. In contrast, fitness costs were heterogeneous in the Brassica pekinensis studies: fitness costs in genetically homogenized lines were significantly higher than in studies using revertant insects. We hypothesize that fitness modifiers can moderate fitness costs on high-quality plants but may not affect fitness when resource quality is low.

Tritrophic Effects of Host Plants on an Herbivore-Pathogen Interaction

Abstract Tritrophic interactions may include directly harmful effects of host plants on herbivores, and directly or indirectly harmful effects of host plants on the natural enemies of herbivores. Tritrophic interactions involving parasitoids and predators have received considerable attention but less is known about how host plants affect entomopathogens. We compared growth and resistance to entomopathogenic nematodes for “woolly bear” caterpillars, Grammia incorrupta (=geneura) (Hy. Edwards) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) fed lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae), versus threadleaf groundsel, Senecio longilobus Benth. (Asteraceae). Both plants are members of the Asteraceae, but only S.longilobus contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Caterpillars gained more mass when fed L.sativa compared with S.longilobus; yet, in one of four cases studied, resistance to nematodes was higher when caterpillars ate S.longilobus. Caterpillar resistance to nematodes did not differ between host plants in the other cases. In addition, nematode reproduction was higher in cadavers of G. incorrupta that had been fed L.sativa instead of S.longilobus, suggesting that S.longilobus had indirectly detrimental effects on entomopathogenic nematodes. Our results illustrate how trade-offs may arise in tritrophic interactions involving entomopathogens, as the cost of decreased growth imposed by S.longilobus was accompanied by the benefit of greater resistance to entomopathogenic nematodes.

Population genetic structure of two primary parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera), Chelonus insularis and Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera): to what extent is the host plant important?

Plant chemistry can strongly influence interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies, either by providing volatile compounds that serve as foraging cues for parasitoids or predators, or by affecting the quality of herbivores as hosts or prey. Through these effects plants may influence parasitoid population genetic structure. We tested for a possible specialization on specific crop plants in Chelonus insularis and Campoletis sonorensis, two primary parasitoids of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Throughout Mexico, S. frugiperda larvae were collected from their main host plants, maize and sorghum and parasitoids that emerged from the larvae were used for subsequent comparison by molecular analysis. Genetic variation at eight and 11 microsatellites were respectively assayed for C. insularis and C. sonorensis to examine isolation by distance, host plant and regional effects. Kinship analyses were also performed to assess female migration among host-plants. The analyses showed considerable within population variation and revealed a significant regional effect. No effect of host plant on population structure of either of the two parasitoid species was found. Isolation by distance was observed at the individual level, but not at the population level. Kinship analyses revealed significantly more genetically related--or kin--individuals on the same plant species than on different plant species, suggesting that locally, mothers preferentially stay on the same plant species. Although the standard population genetics parameters showed no effect of plant species on population structure, the kinship analyses revealed that mothers exhibit plant species fidelity, which may speed up divergence if adaptation were to occur.

Assessment of effects of Bt-oilseed rape on large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) in natural habitats

Much effort has been allocated to the definition of risk, relevant for the assessment of genetically modified plants. However, few studies have emphasised the limitations in testing methods. In this study, tests for and effects on non-target herbivores were exemplified and evaluated for Pieris brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and a genetically modified Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae) expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-toxin Cry1Ac. It was established that this herbivore recognises and accepts the transgenic plant as a host. It was found that ovipositing females of P. brassicae preferred the transgenic variety for egg-laying. Therefore, effects of the transgenic host plant on the herbivore were determined. Larvae feeding on the Bt-plants experienced 100% mortality for all larval stages. Based on these observations, a population model was established. The model showed that larval survival is increased with amount of food (number of plants) and reduced with the frequency of transgenic specimens, number of host plants needed for completing larval development, and number of egg-laying butterflies. Such models may both aid the design of further tests for effects and support the assessment whether population effects are likely to occur due to the presence of insect-resistant plants outside the agricultural area.

Effect of Various Host-Plants on the Population Growth and Development of The Pea Aphid

The performance of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Homoptera: Aphididae) was studied on several Fabaceae species including: pea (Pisum sativum), broad bean (Vicia faba), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Alfalfa, bean and red clover were less accepted by the pea aphid than pea and broad bean. The pea aphid fed on the alfalfa, bean and red clover showed longer pre-reproductive, and shorter reproductive and post-reproductive periods. Alfalfa, bean and red clover also shortened and decreased fecundity of the pea aphid. Mean survival of the pea aphids fed on red clover and bean plants was reduced in comparison to pea aphid fed on pea and broad bean. The other studied population parameters: intrinsic rate of natural increase (rₘ), net reproduction (R₀) and mean generation time were also reduced in the case of the pea aphid on alfalfa, red clover and bean. The study of aphid development and reproduction demonstrated that pea and broad bean are suitable host plants for A. pisum while alfalfa, red clover and bean are not. It is likely that the rejection of alfalfa, red clover and bean by A. pisum was caused by chemical factors in these hosts.

Effect of host plants on life-history traits of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Host plants play an important role in population increases and outbreaks of cosmopolitan polyphagous insect pest, such as Spodoptera exigua (Hubner; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We investigated the impact of various host plants (cauliflower, peas, and wheat) on fitness and relative growth rate of S. exigua and intrinsic rate of population increase. The S. exigua population was collected from cauliflower fields from Multan, Pakistan. Comparison of various life-history traits on three different host plants revealed significant differences that might be correlated with the fitness costs. The mean number of eggs laid by female reared on cauliflower was significantly greater than on peas or wheat. Similarly, eggs viability, intrinsic rate of population increase, adult eclosion, and adult’s longevity were significantly higher on cauliflower than on peas and wheat. The low survival on peas and wheat suggest the unsuitability of these host plants, while the higher pupal weight on cauliflower suggest that it provides better food quality to S. exigua compared with peas and wheat. On peas and wheat, fitness declined with each generation suggesting that the average fitness of individuals may decline due to the elimination of insects with higher fitness. Our results suggest that cauliflower was the most nutritive and preferred host plant. Such results could be useful to design cultural management strategies, which may include trap cropping.

Maternal host plant effects on aphid performance: contrasts between a generalist and a specialist species on Brussels sprout cultivars

1 The performance of the second generation (G2) of alates and apterae of a generalist, Myzus persicae, and a specialist, Brevicoryne brassicae, aphid species reared on Chinese cabbage or cabbage was evaluated on five cultivars of Brussels sprout. 2 Aphid performance was influenced both by the type of host on which the parent aphid had been reared and by the host on which it was feeding when reproducing. 3 The fecundity of the G2 of alates of both aphid species reared on Chinese cabbage differed significantly between all the cultivars of Brussels sprout and, on average, was 25% higher than those reared on cabbage. These differences were also apparent for the intrinsic rate of increase of B. brassicae but not for M. persicae. 4 There was a trend for the G2 of alates from Chinese cabbage to have greater fecundity compared with aphids from cabbage. These differences were significant for the fecundity of the G2 of alates of both aphid species on Brussels sprout cultivars Fillbasket (30% higher), Red Delicious (35% higher) and Winter Harvest (25% higher) than those reared on cabbage. 5 The intrinsic rate of increase for the G2 of alates of B. brassicae from Chinese cabbage was significantly different on all Brussels sprout cultivars tested. The intrinsic rate of increase differed significantly between aphids reared on either Chinese cabbage or cabbage on cultivars Oliver and Darkmar-21 (M. persicae) and Red Delicious and Winter Harvest (B. brassicae). The cv. Oliver appeared to be the most consistently good host; Red Delicious was the poorest host overall.

Effect of different host plants on the fitness of diamond-back moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamond-back moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a destructive cosmopolitan pest of cruciferous crops. The pest is present wherever its host plants exist and is considered to be one of the most widely distributed of all the Lepidoptera. We investigated the effect of various host plants on the fitness of P. xylostella and tested the hypothesis by studying development time, growth, fecundity and survival on cabbage ( Brassica oleracea capitata), cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea botrytis), radish ( Raphanus sativus), turnip ( Brassica rapa), mustard ( Brassica compestris) and canola ( Brassica napus var. canola). The developmental time from eggs to adult eclosion was the shortest (10 days) on canola and the longest (13 days) on turnip. Fecundity was greatest on canola (350) followed by cauliflower (268 eggs) by females eclosed from the pupae reared on canola and cauliflower, respectively, while the minimum numbers of eggs (184) were observed on cabbage. The number of eggs hatched was the highest (80%) when larvae fed on cauliflower. Survival to the adult stage was the highest (94%) on mustard followed by cauliflower and lowest (64%) on turnip. The net replacement rate was lowest for populations reared on cabbage (32.3), which was also reflected by the lowest intrinsic rate of population increase (0.20). The correlation between the intrinsic rate of population increase ( r m) and the mean relative growth rate was significant ( t = 20.02 d.f. = 4, P < 0.05). Canola and mustard proved to be the most suitable hosts for P. xylostella because of shorter developmental period, higher percentage of survival and higher number of eggs. The data point to the role of host plants in increasing local P. xylostella populations.

Effect of host plant on susceptibility of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)

We determined host plant effect on susceptibility of whitefly Bemisia tabaci to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana under controlled conditions. Insects were reared on cucumber, eggplant, tomato or cabbage. Fungal suspensions of 1×104, 105, 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL were applied on second-instar nymphs. Nymphal survival significantly differed among different host plant species on which the nymphs were reared. Ten days after inoculation with 1×108 conidia/mL, percent survival was 4.2±0.7, 9.6±0.4, 13.4±0.8, and 24.3±0.9% on cucumber, eggplant, tomato and cabbage, respectively. Average survival times of nymphs were also significantly influenced by host plant species. After inoculation with 1×108 conidia/mL, survival times were 4.8±0.15, 6.0±0.11, 5.7±0.13, and 6.2±0.08 days for nymphs reared on cucumber, eggplant, tomato, and cabbage, respectively. Virulence also differed depending on host plant species; 10 days after inoculation, LC50 values were 4.6×104, 1.6×105, 4.2×105 and 2.1×106 conidia/mL on cucumber, eggplant, tomato and cabbage, respectively. Nymphs on cucumber showed highest susceptibility.

Effects of the maternal and pre‐adult host plant on adult performance and preference in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Abstract 1. The taxon known as the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, is composed of a series of host plant associated populations and is widely used as a model system to explore ecological speciation and the evolution of specialisation. It is thus important to know how maternal and pre‐adult experience influences host plant utilisation in this species.2. The relative importance of the maternal and pre‐adult host plant for adult fecundity and host preference was investigated using three aphid clones collected from Lathyrus pratensis and maintained on Lathyrus or Vicia faba.3. No significant effects of the maternal host plant on offspring fecundity were detected.4. The host plant on which the aphid grew up influenced adult fecundity, although in a complex way that depended on both the adult host plant species and when after transfer to the test plant fecundity was assessed.5. All three clones preferred to colonise Lathyrus over Vicia, and this preference was stronger for aphids raised on Lathyrus.6. The significance of the results for studies of the evolution of specialisation and speciation that employ A. pisum is discussed.

Interactions between Orius albidipennis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae): Effects of host plants under microcosm condition

In three-dimensional microcosm set-ups we explored the influence of host plant traits of cucumber, eggplant and sweet pepper on the interactions between minute pirate bugs, Orius albidipennis (Reuter) and predatory mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) in the presence of extraguild prey, Thrips tabaci Lindeman. The host plant influenced the population development of thrips with sweet pepper being most inferior and cucumber being the best for egg laying and/or juvenile development and survival. No host plant effect was found on the survival of adult thrips. The host plant also influenced the biocontrol efficiency of O. albidipennis which, on its own, significantly reduced thrips populations on sweet pepper and eggplant, but not on cucumber. A similar host plant effect was not seen for N. cucumeris which, on its own, was unable to reduce thrips populations on either of the host plants. No additive or synergistic effect between the two predators was observed. Finally, the host plant influenced the interactions between the two predators—when both predators were present, a significant reduction in the density of adult mites was observed on cucumber and sweet pepper, presumably a result of intraguild predation from O. albidipennis. No influence of O. albidipennis on the predatory mites was found on eggplant and on none of the host plants was a negative influence observed on mite eggs or nymphs. The results point to the importance of including host plant aspects in studies aimed at evaluations of possible interactions between beneficials intended for simultaneous applications for biocontrol.

Expression of the nitrate transporter nrt2 gene from the symbiotic basidiomycete Hebeloma cylindrosporum is affected by host plant and carbon sources

Although the function of the extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi is considered essential for the acquisition of nitrogen by forest trees, gene regulation in this fungal compartment is poorly characterized. In this study, the expression of the nitrate transporter gene nrt2 from the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Hebeloma cylindrosporum was shown to be regulated by plant host and carbon sources. In the presence of a low fructose concentration, nrt2 expression could not be detected in the free-living mycelium but was high in the extramatrical symbiotic mycelium associated to the host plant Pinus pinaster. In the absence of nitrogen or in the presence of nitrate, high sugar concentrations in the medium were able to enhance nrt2 expression. Nevertheless, in the presence of high fructose concentration, high ammonium concentration still completely repressed nrt2 expression indicating that the nitrogen repression overrides sugar stimulation. This is the first report revealing an effect of host plant and of carbon sources on the expression of a fungal nitrate transporter-encoding gene.

Effect of pine foliage damage on the incidence of larval diapause in the pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

AbstractThe pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus (Walker) with a larval facultative diapause is one of the most destructive insect pests of the pine tree Pinus massoniana in China. The larvae feeding on pine trees with different damage levels were studied to determine the induction of diapause under both laboratory and field conditions. Developmental duration of larvae before the third instar was the longest when fed with 75%–90% damaged needles, followed by 25%–40% damaged needles and intact pine needles, whereas mortalities did not differ among different treatments under the conditions of 25° and critical photoperiod 13.5:10.5 L:D. At 25°, no diapause was induced under 15:9 L:D, whereas 100% diapause occurred under 12:12 L:D regardless of the levels of needle damage. Incidences of larvae entering diapause when they were fed with intact, 25%–40% and 75%–90% damaged pine needles were 51.7%, 70.8% and 81% under 13.5:10.5 L:D, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the field experiment. Incidence of diapause was significantly different among the pine needle damage levels of pine trees when the photoperiod was close to the critical day length, indicating that the effect of host plants on diapause induction was dependent on the range of photoperiod. The content of amino acid and sugar decreased and tannin increased in pine needles after feeding by the pine caterpillars, suggesting that changed levels of nutrients in damaged needles or a particular substance emitted by damaged pine trees was perhaps involved in the diapause induction of the pine caterpillar.

Comparative life table statistics for the ladybeetleScymnus syriacusreared on the green citrus aphid,Aphis spiraecola, fed on two host plants

AbstractDemographic statistics for the ladybeetleScymnus syriacusMarseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated when reared on the green citrus aphid,Aphis spiraecolaPatch (Homoptera: Aphididae), fed on two host plants: spirea (Spireasp.) and Thompson orange (Citrus sinensiscv. Thompson) under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and 16 h light : 8 h dark). Mean developmental times from egg to adult were 20.32 ± 0.18 and 22.07 ± 0.15 days for spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was higher for spirea (85%) than for Thompson orange (72.5%). The oviposition periods were 41.8 ± 2.47 and 39.71 ± 2.6 days and the total number of eggs per female were 657.6 ± 29.5 and 587.9 ± 32.6 on spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. Fertility life tables were also constructed to compare the effects of host plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) on spirea was higher than that on Thompson orange. Jackknife estimates ofrmvaried from 0.149 on spirea to 0.133 on Thompson orange. The mean population generation times on these host plants were 38.16 and 40.65 days, respectively. These results indicate that spirea‐fedA. spiraecolais more suitable forS. syriacus, producing a higher survival rate and shorter developmental time.

Effects of larval host plants on over-wintering physiological dynamics and survival of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Laboratory colonies of cotton bollworm larvae, Helicoverpa armigera, were kept at 20 °C under a photoperiod of L:D = 10:14 and fed on three host plants (cotton, tobacco, kidney bean) and an artificial diet (control) to determine the dynamic effects of larval host quality on over-wintering physiology and mortality. Energy reserves (glycogen and lipid), super-cooling points (SCPs), low-molecular-weight sugars, temperature, and mortality were monitored from November 2002 to April 2003. Lipid content did not change much for each group during over-wintering, but differed according to larval host plants. Larval host plants obviously influence the amount of glycogen, as does time of year: glycogen was lowest in February and increased in early spring. During winter, the mean pupal SCPs increased the most in February, then decreased, and were also affected by larval host plant, i.e. over-wintering pupae reared on kidney bean had the highest SCPs. Levels of glycerol and inositol differed significantly among host plants and months, which peaked in February. Pupal mortality also varied according to larval host plants and time: pupae reached their highest mortality in March and showed host plant differences in January. Records show that February was the coldest month during the period we observed, which corresponded closely to changes in over-wintering characteristics.

Direct and Indirect Effects of Host Plants: Implications for Reintroduction of an Endangered Hemiparasitic Plant (Castilleja levisecta)

Rare, parasitic plants pose an interesting challenge to restoration practitioners. In addition to the problems associated with small population size, rare parasites may also be limited by their host requirements. We examined how the performance of a rare Pacific Northwest hemiparasite, Castilleja levisecta, was affected by the availability of different host combinations in the greenhouse and in the field. Castilleja levisecta individuals were grown with two individuals of the grass Festuca roemeri, two individuals of the aster Eriophyllum lanatum, one individual of each of these species (a “mixed” treatment), or without any host. We did not find support for the complimentary diet hypothesis, which predicts that parasites grown with multiple host species perform better than individuals grown alone or with a single host. In the greenhouse, C. levisecta individuals grown in the mixed treatment had greater stem growth than those planted with F. roemeri, but did not differ from E. lanatum or no-host treatments. In the field, vole activity had indirect effects on C. levisecta survival mediated through host species: vole tunneling and C. levisecta mortality were strongly associated with host treatments including E. lanatum. Vole tunneling and C. levisecta mortality were strongly associated with host treatments including E. lanatum. Field survival of no-host and F. roemeri treatments were significantly higher than those grown with E. lanatum. Our results emphasize the importance of basing conservation decisions on experimental research conducted under conditions similar to those of the intended application, as greenhouse results were a poor predictor of field performance. For restoration of endangered hemiparasitic plants, we recommend planting with hosts that are not attractive to herbivores.

Plant phenology and genetic variability in root and nodule development strongly influence genetic structuring of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae populations nodulating pea.

The symbiotic relationships between legumes and their nitrogen (N(2))-fixing bacterial partners (rhizobia) vary in effectiveness to promote plant growth according to both bacterial and legume genotype. To assess the selective effect of host plant on its microsymbionts, the influence of the pea (Pisum sativum) genotype on the relative nodulation success of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae (Rlv) genotypes from the soil populations during plant development has been investigated. Five pea lines were chosen for their genetic variability in root and nodule development. Genetic structure and diversity of Rlv populations sampled from nodules were estimated by molecular typing with a marker of the genomic background (rDNA intergenic spacer) and a nodulation gene marker (nodD region). Differences were found among Rlv populations related to pea genetic background but also to modification of plant development caused by single gene mutation. The growth stage of the host plant also influenced structuring of populations. A particular nodulation genotype formed the majority of nodules during the reproductive stage. Overall, modification in root and nodule development appears to strongly influence the capacity of particular rhizobial genotypes to form nodules.

Distribution of burnet moths (Zygaenaspp.) in relation to larval and adult resources on two spatial scales

Abstract. Metapopulation theory predicts habitat patch area and isolation to be the main factors affecting the distribution of species dependent of patchily distributed habitats, but the need for multiple resources, which might be spatially separated, is often ignored.Here, I studied the effect of host plant and nectar flower distributions on the spatial distribution of pupae and adults of two species of burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulaeandZygaena lonicerae), on two spatial scales.At the landscape scale (10 × 12 km), moths were patchily distributed, but there was no effect of patch isolation on the occurrence of any of the species. On the local scale (2 × 2 km), I expected to find additive effects of the local abundances of larval and adult resources and their abundances in the surrounding areas, but instead, moth abundance decreased with increasing resource connectivity. I interpret this as an aggregation effect, such that at low resource abundances in the area, moths tend to aggregate in patches with higher flower densities.My results also supported the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of individuals at one life stage is restricted by the requirement of other life stages, because the abundance of pupae of both species were associated with floral resources and abundance of imagos was related to larval resources.I conclude that in studies aiming at understanding the relative importance of local and regional factors for species distributions, it is important to account for the habitat requirements of all life stages.

Balancing multiple mutualists: asymmetric interactions among plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and fungal endophytes

Most organisms engage in beneficial interactions with other species; however, little is known regarding how individuals balance the competing demands of multiple mutualisms. Here we examine three‐way interactions among a widespread grass, Schedonorus phoenix, a protective fungal endophyte aboveground, Neotyphodium coenophialum, and nutritional symbionts (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) belowground. In a greenhouse experiment, we manipulated the presence/absence of both fungi and applied a fertilizer treatment to individual plants. Endophyte presence in host plants strongly reduced mycorrhizal colonization of roots. Additionally, for plants with the endophyte, the density of endophyte hyphae was negatively correlated with mycorrhizal colonization, suggesting a novel role for endophyte abundance in the interaction between the symbionts. Endophyte presence increased plant biomass, and there was a positive correlation between endophyte hyphal density and plant biomass. The effects of mutualists were asymmetric: mycorrhizal fungi treatments had no significant impact on the endophyte and negligible effects on plant biomass. Fertilization affected all three species – increasing plant biomass and endophyte density, but diminishing mycorrhizal colonization. Mechanisms driving negative effects of endophytes on mycorrhizae may include inhibition via endophyte alkaloids, altered nutritional requirements of the host plant, and/or temporal and spatial priority effects in the interactions among plants and multiple symbionts.

Host plant effect on the activity of digestive enzymes of the gypsy moth caterpillars

Insect growth and development depend on nutritive value and secondary metabolite content of their host plants. This influence may be exerted through changing the activity of digestive enzymes which further affects efficiency of conversion of ingested food. This paper represents the results of investigation of feeding effects on the leaves of three oak species (Quercus cerris, Q. robur and Q. petraea) on growth, development and digestive enzyme activities of the 4th instar gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar L.). Compared to larvae fed on Q. cerris and Q. robur leaves, larvae fed on Q. petrea exhibited the lowest body mass, midgut protein content and specific protease activity. Specific amylase activity was significantly reduced in the midguts of larvae fed on Q. robur while host plant did not affect larval duration upon molting into the 4th instar. Concomitant chemical analyses of leaves given to the 2nd and 4th instar larvae was carried out in order to explain the obtained results.