The relationship between palatability to invertebrates and the successional status of a plant

Abstract

The palatability of common plants from three stages of secondary sere have been assessed by a bioassay method. Foliage was exposed to five taxonomically very different herbivores (Agriolimax, Schistocera, Spodoptera, Myzus and Trialeurodes). Palatability was measured by foliage consumption or, for sap suckers, by survival and reporduction. The results of these experiments supported the predictions of Feeny's 'Apparency theory', but indicated considerable variations in palatability within plant communities and between herbivores.