CARBON DIOXIDE-INDUCED CHANGES IN BEECH FOLIAGE CAUSE FEMALE BEECH WEEVIL LARVAE TO FEED IN A COMPENSATORY MANNER

The phenology of Fagus sylvatica was unaffected by exposure to an atmo sphere of elevated CO2 (600 mu L L(-1)) after two years of fumigation. Non-significant changes in nitrogen and phenolic content of the leave s decreased the nutritional status of beech for female larvae in eleva ted CO2 such that they responded by eating in a compensatory manner; m ales were unaffected. Rates of development, mortality and adult biomas s of Rhynchaenus fagi were no different from those in ambient CO2 conc entrations (355 mu L L(-1)). It is possible that, with the changes in leaf chemistry affecting the females, fecundity will be altered, with important consequences for populations of beech weevil.