Influenza della qualità delle foglie di Quercus suber L. sull'efficienza di utilizzazione del cibo in Malacosoma neustrium (L.)

The purpose of this study was to measure the intensity of herbivory and estimate growth and feeding indices of the larvae by using cork oak foliage as food source. In addition, the relationship between some primary and secondary plant metabolites and the indices was analysed in order to know which components are more related to the growth of the insect. The indices could be used to define a defoliation prediction model useful in pest management over a large area.