Density dependent regulation of survival and reproduction in dogbane beetles and underlying host-plant interactions

These data are the product of a field experiment conducted to examine if Chrysochus auratus populations on Apocynum cannabinum are regulated through density dependent survival or reproduction, and whether survival and reproduction are sensitive to bottom-up forces including host-plant quality and plant chemical defenses. I caged the beetles on stems of A. cannabinum at four different densities (0, 2, 4, or 6 beetles) with eight replicates per treatment. I also monitored four plants without cages and four plants with half cages to test for shade effects. I monitored these cages every three days to track beetle survival and collect egg capsules. I measured plant height and leaf area before and after the experiment to establish the change in plant quality over the course of the experiment. Cardenolide concentrations were also measured to determine whether A. cannabinum has an induced defensive response to herbivory.