HERBIVORE AVOIDANCE OF A SIMPLE DIGITALIS EXTRACT

Browsing or clipping of seedlings by herbivores hinders reforestation efforts in the Pacific Northwest. Plants that are naturally avoided by herbivores may provide a source of aversive agents to serve as repell ents. This study was conducted to determine whether mountain beaver (A plodontia rufa) would ingest apple cubes treated with a simple water e xtract of digitalis (Digitalis purpurea). Responses mere assessed in t wo-choice and one-choice tests. Under both test regimes, mountain beav ers reduced (P < 0.05) their intake of apple treated with the extract. It was concluded that digitalis may be an effective source of aversiv e agents to deter herbivore damage in the Pacific Northwest.