Where both larval and adult feeding seriously damage the host plant, the feeding range of the adults also needs to be determined. Usually this can be done concurrently with the oviposition tests. In this case, the extent of feeding is also evaluated at the end of the test. If the feeding damage is quantified it may be compared to damage on other plants more conclusively and is amenable to statistical analysis. Feeding damage may be measured by counting the feeding scars, counting the structures destroyed, measuring the leaf area destroyed, etc.
Sometimes adult feeding tests are made with newly emerged unfed adults. In this case they are not done concurrently with oviposition tests. This method ensures that the adult food preferences are not induced by early adult experience of feeding on the normal host on which they are reared.
