The aim of this study has been to assess how rates of herbivory vary in populations of Lindera benzoin, and to better understand how light environment, plant growth rates, leaf toughness, and plant chemistry influence these rates. Over the entire season, plants from shade locations experienced greater levels of herbivory than plants in sun locations while the abundance of herbivores did not differ across habitats. Leaves originating from high light environments were significantly tougher and had a stronger fragrance (and perhaps more aromatic compounds) than leaves from low light environments. Gas chromatography spectra and solid phase micro-extraction revealed that plants in high light environments had a greater concentration of lower molecular weight compounds while shade plants had a greater relative abundance of heavier compounds. Laboratory feeding trials with the primary herbivore, the geometrid larvae of Melanolophia canadaria, showed that larvae raised on leaves from sun or shade habitats exhibited no differences in feeding rates or larval development. The relationships between leaf age, light environment, leaf defense and nutritional quality, and fine scale variation in rates of herbivory are considered.

Key words: chemical defense, herbivory, light, Lindera benzoin, Melanolophia canadaria