Oviposition preferences in relation to larval growth rates and survival in the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea

Abstract. 1. Adult female pine beauty moths, Panolis flammea (D & S), when given a choice of whole plants or needle pairs of four provenances of Lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta (Douglas), laid most eggs on that provenance on which the larvae attained their greatest growth rates. 2. When presented with a greater number of Lodgepole pine provenances and Pinus sylvestris L, P.flammea oviposition preferences reflected the trade‐off between growth rate and survival. 3. There is some evidence to suggest that the moths are responding to the monoterpene composition of the plants. 4. Adult moths showed no preference for Lodgepole pine needles of a range of ages (1–4 years), ovipositing uniformly on all age classes.