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[Objective] To investigate the selection and feeding adaptability of Hyphantria cunea with respect to eight widely distributed and planted trees in Heilongjiang province. [Methods] The behavioral responses of 4th instar larvae and male and female adults to the leaf odors of Tilia amurensis, Phellodendron amurens, Populus simonii, Larix gmelinii, Quercus mongolica, Fraxinus mandshurica, Syringa oblata and Betula platyphylla were measured in a Y-type olfactometer. The leaves of a single tree species and 4th instar larvae of H. cunea were placed in the olfactometer and the feeding rate of larvae on the leaves was determined after 24 hours. [Results] Unmated female moths significantly preferred the leaves of all tree species, except of L. gmelinii, to the control (P<0.05). Mated female moths significantly preferred the leaves of T amurensis, P. .simonii, Q. mongolica and F mandshurica to the control (P < 0.05). However, unmated male moths showed no significant preference for the leaves of all eight tree species over the control. Fourth instar larvae significantly preferred the leaves of T. amurensis, P. amurense, P. simonii, Q. mongolica, F. mandshurica and B. platyphylla to the control (P < 0.05). Fourth instar larvae fed significantly more on T. amurensis leaves than they did on those of P. simonii, P. amurense, L. gmelinii, Q. mongolica, F. mandshurica or S. oblata (P < 0.05). They also fed significantly more on the leaves of B. platyphylla, P. .simonii, P. amurense, L. gmelinii, Q. mongolica and F. mandshurica than on those of S. oblata (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Female adults and 4th instar larvae of H. cunea preferred the odour of leaves T. amurensis, P. simonii, Q. mongolica and F. mandshurica to those of P. amurens, L. gmelinii, S. oblata or B. platyphylla, and fourth instar larvae also consumed significantly more of the leaves of these species than those of S. oblata. These results suggest that T. amurensis, P. simonii, Q. mongolica and F. mandshurica could be suitable hosts for the growth and development of H. cunea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]