Relation of Spodoptera eridania choice to tannins and protein of Lotus corniculatus

Plant secondary compounds such as tannins may influence herbivore choice. To determine if herbivory was influenced by tannin concentration, Spodoptera eridania larvae were given a choice of Lotus corniculatus plants whose chemical profiles were altered by fertilization. Herbivores chose plants that had been grown with symbiotic nitrogen fixation as their only nitrogen source more often than fertilized plants. Choice was related to protein concentration, but not to tannin concentration.