Do Army worms increase sugar content??

[warners point]

I was out walking the sugar bush this weekend and made an observation. The army worms are attacking the basswoods and have them almost 100% bare. These are mostly large mature trees with crowns that block out some of our maples. We are already planning to remove them in the next couple of years. Has anyone noticed an uptick in the sugar content the following spring from the increased sunlight penetration caused by the defoliation?

[collinsmapleman2012]

i dont know about the sugar content, but if there is no competition then the crowns will grow larger possibly resulting in higher sap yield.

[maple flats]

That would follow, "IF" they don't attack the maples after the basswoods are defoliated.