Influence of Defoliation by the Phasmatid Didymuria violescens on Seasonal Diameter Growth and the Pattern of Growth Rings in Alpine Ash

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Abstract
A light defoliation of Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) by the phasmatid Didymuria violescens caused a significant reduction in diameter growth during two successive growing seasons. A relatively narrow band of late wood was produced in the year of defoliation (1964–65) and a relatively wide band of late wood was produced in the following year of recovery (1965–66). The pattern of alternating narrow and wide bands of late wood was repeated in trees that experienced several successive defoliations, and could be used to determine the occurrence and severity of defoliation in the past.