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Avian predation on the palatable butterfly, Cercyonis pegala (Satyridae) |
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| Authors: | M DEANE BOWERS DIANE C WIERNASZ |
| Institution: | Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., and Smith College, Northampton, Mass., U.S.A.;*Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., and Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Mass., U.S.A. |
| Abstract: | Abstract. 1. Samples from two populations of the satyrid butterfly, Cercyonis pegala were collected and analysed for palatability and incidence of avian predation. 2. A series of feeding experiments indicated that C. pegala is indeed palatable. 3. A high proportion of individuals in both samples showed evidence of avian attack: 10.2% in Amherst and 7.1% in Easthampton; this frequency is much higher than usually described for studies of this sort. 4. The two samples showed no significant differences with respect to frequency of damaged specimens. 5. There was no consistent location of damage on individuals or significant differences between the two samples. |
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