Interactive effects of drought severity and simulated herbivory on tea (Camellia sinensis) volatile and non-volatile metabolites

•We simulated herbivory on moderately and severely drought stressed tea plants.•Non-volatile metabolites were unaffected by drought stress nor simulated herbivory.•Most volatiles were not induced by simulated herbivory under severe drought.•Methyl salicylate had greater induction by simulated herbivory under severe drought.•Drought affects plant responses to biotic stress with consequences for tea quality.