Components of conspecific host discrimination behavior in the butterfly Battus philenor.

Pipevine swallowtail butterflies discriminated among Aristolochia reticulata host plants differing in leaf quality both before and after landing. Host plants on which females landed and oviposited were smaller, possessed longer buds, and bore a higher percentage of high-quality leaves than host plants on which females landed but left without deposition eggs. Plants on which butterflies alighted bore a higher percentage of high-quality leaves, a lower percentage of low-quality leaves, and longer buds than their nearest neighbors that were not landed upon. These characteristics were associated with differences in expected larval growth and survival. -from Authors

Duke Scholars

Author Mark D. Rausher Biology