Transgenerational effect of host plant on growth and reproduction in two species of moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana and Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract The carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana , and the light brown apple Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are two important polyphagous pest species affecting a wide range of plant many which horticultural crops. Crop damage is caused by larvae these moths rolling leaves together feeding on foliage. In order to understand how affected host through transgenerational dietary changes, we hypothesised that larval parental pretreatment diet affects growth reproduction offspring. We tested performance developmental traits C. E. three (larval treatment) – Prunus (Rosaceae), Choisya (Rutaceae) Griselinia (Griseliniaceae). For experiment, used from second generation reared either exclusively or (pretreatment). Regardless whether had been both significant average effect duration development pupal size for . Although, neither pretreatment, nor treatment overall fecundity (number eggs per clutch laid) in there was interaction observed between post‐treatment moth. Our results suggest changes composition can affect offspring intergenerationally complex ways relevant agroecosystems. Such phenomena may be when developing new strategies integrated management species.