The Effects of Rapid Leaf Expansion on the Growth and Suvivorship of a Lepidopteran Herbivore

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Abstract
Gustavia superba, a common understory tropical tree in the young forest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama, produces leaves synchronously and has very rapid leaf expansion. Rapid leaf expansion followed by a decrease in leaf "quality" contribute to larval mortality of a major herbivore, Entheus priassus. Most larval mortality occurs during the first and second instars and appears to be directly related to leaf age at the time of hatching. Larvae that hatch on expanding leaves have a higher probability of surviving than larvae that hatch on fully expanded leaves. Because of the rapid leaf expansion, ovipositing E. priassus females have only a few days to locate suitable host leaves. We believe that rapid leaf expansion in G. superba acts as a defense by minimizing the time the leaf is acceptable for oviposition due to the rapid decline in leaf quality after the completion of leaf expansion. A possible cost of rapid leaf expansion is high levels of nitrogen in the young leaves, which may make these leaves more palatable to a greater range of herbivores.

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