Bottom-up control of geographic variation in insect herbivory on wild cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) by plant defenses and climate

Premise The occurrence and amount of herbivory are shaped by bottom‐up forces, primarily plant traits (e.g., defenses), and by abiotic factors. Addressing these concurrent effects in a spatial context has been useful in efforts to understand the mechanisms governing variation in plant–herbivore interactions. Still, few studies have evaluated the simultaneous influence of multiple sources of bottom‐up variation on spatial variation in herbivory. Methods We tested to what extent chemical (phenolics, production of terpenoid glands) and physical (pubescence) defensive plant traits and climatic factors are associated with variation in herbivory by leaf‐chewing insects across populations of wild cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Results We found substantial population variation in cotton leaf defenses and insect leaf herbivory. Leaf pubescence, but not gossypol gland density or phenolic content, was significantly negatively associated with herbivory by leaf‐chewing insects. In addition, there were direct effects of climate on defenses and herbivory, with leaf pubescence increasing toward drier conditions and leaf damage increasing toward wetter and cooler conditions. There was no evidence, however, of indirect effects (via plant defenses) of climate on herbivory. Conclusions These results suggest that spatial variation in insect herbivory on wild G. hirsutum is predominantly driven by concurrent and independent influences of population variation in leaf pubescence and climatic factors.