Temporal and species-dependent variation in foliar monoterpene compositions of conifers under spruce budworm defoliation

Research paper

Key Message

No induced herbivory effect under defoliation by Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) was detected in young conifer saplings, but a marked difference among species—balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss), and black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.])—in monoterpene compositions.

Keywords
Choristoneura fumiferana; Terpenoids; Monoterpenoid profiles; Induced defence

Publication
Boubeker, S., Cusson, M., Despland, E. et al. Temporal and species-dependent variation in foliar monoterpene compositions of conifers under spruce budworm defoliation. Annals of Forest Science 83, 37 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-026-01342-w

Data availability 
The data that support the findings of this study are available online: https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/8VP1WN

Handling editor
Aurélien Sallé