Selective choice of sucrose solution concentration by the hovering hawk mothMacroglossum stellatarum |
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Authors: | Roxana B Josens Walter M Farina |
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Institution: | 1. Lehrstuhl für Biokybernetik, Universit?t Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076, Tübingen 1, Germany
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Abstract: | To determine the preference of the hovering hawk mothMacroglossum stellatarum for different sugar concentrations, the foraging behavior of adults were analyzed under laboratory conditions. Six sucrose
concentrations (range, 10–60%, w/w) were simultaneously offered in six artificial ab libitum feeders. The number of feeding
bouts and the duration of each visit were automatically recorded and stored in a computer. Results showed that the frequency
of visits to the feeders did not vary among the different solutions offered, but the gathered volume by the group attained
a maximum at between 20 and 50% (w/w). Moths invested more time in front of the feeder with the more concentrated sugar solutions.
It was assumed that factors different from maximizing energy intake, such as water balance and viscosity of concentrated nectars,
have to be considered in order to understand the observed patterns of nectar choice. |
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Keywords: | Macroglossum stellatarum hawk moth foraging nectar preference hovering |
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