Spodoptera littoralis (IMAGE) Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Caption The African cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis feeds on the leaves of the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata. This pest insect is a food generalist and feeds on many different plants, Extensive analyses of the metabolites produced by the plant after attack by the two herbivores and the application of statistical assumptions based on information theory demonstrated that the chemical defense of tobacco plants is a directed response to herbivore attack. Credit Danny Kessler, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.