The coevolution of Euphydryas chalcedona butterflies and their larval host plants |
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| Authors: | K. S. Williams |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305 Stanford, California, USA;(2) Present address: Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, V6T 1W5 Vancouver, B.C., Canada;(3) Present address: Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, 29208 Columbia, S.C., USA |
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| Abstract: | Summary The interactions between the checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas chalcedona, and two of its principal host plants, Diplacus aurantiacus and Scrophularia californica, were studied to test the hypothesis that feeding behavior in nature reflects food quality in terms of leaf nitrogen and defensive chemical contents. Larvae preferentially fed on Diplacus leaves containing the highest nitrogen: resin ratio in the field and laboratory. Larvae did not feed selectively among Scrophularia leaves, which show little variation in quality. Seasonal timing of feeding activity and larval development rates were closely related to the availability of any Scrophularia leaves and high-quality Diplacus leaves. |
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