Variation in the suitability of Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine) to feedingby three pine defoliators, Panolis flammea, Neodiprion sertifer and Zeiraphera diniana

A series of experiments were carried out on Pinus contorta Dougl. in Scotla nd to establish if there were any inter-provenance differences in suitabili ty to three major forest pests: the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea (D an d S) (Lep., Noctuidae), the European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer (Geof f.) (Hym., Diprionidae), and the larch bud moth Zeiraphera diniana Guennee (Lep., Tortricidae). There were significant differences in the survival, we ight, and development time of P. flammea on different provenances of seedli ng logepole pine. Southern interior lodgepole pine (ILP) proved to be the m ost resistant provenance. Larvae performed significantly better on Alaskan lodgepole pine (ALP) and Skeena River lodgepole pine (ELP). Panolis flammea larvae showed significant feeding preference for certain provenances of ma ture lodgepole pine, with ILP being preferred to ALP, north coastal lodgepo le pine, and Scots pine. There were significant differences in the mean rel ative growth rate of N. sertifer on different provenances of seedling and m ature trees. ALP was the most resistant provenance among seedling trees, bu t the least resistant among mature trees. There were also significant diffe rences in survival on foliage from mature provenances. There were no signif icant differences in survival of second instar Z, diniana on different prov enances of mature lodgepole pine.