The resistance of a non-transgenic poplar clone, `Ogy` and three transgenic poplar lines to the cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta F., was evaluated by in vitro feeding. The lines were transformed with neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II ) as a selectable marker, proteinase inhibitor II(pin2) as a resistance gene, and CaMV 35S as a promoter. An efficient method of sterilizing the beetle eggs and introducing them into plant tissue cultures was developed. The resistance of the transgenic lines was investigated in terms of effects tin leaf area consumed, insect weight, insect developmental stages, and plantlet root dry weight after feeding. Also, leaf area consumed was examined by leaf age as measured through leaf plastochron index(LPI). The leaf area consumed and insect weight were highly significant between transformants and control, and insect development in vitro was significant among the transgenic lines. Larval infestation was the most severe around LPI 4 to 5 which were young leaves. The system provided a quick, highly controlled method to screen developing transgenic plantlets directly.