ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Key words Insect-plant interactions
;
Lepidoptera
;
Polyphagy
;
Specialization
;
Host plant
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract We analyzed geographic differentiation in oviposition preference in the anise swallowtail butterfly, Papilio zelicaon Lucas, which is one of the most widely distributed and polyphagous butterflies in western North America. Among 13 populations that span 1200 km of the range of P. zelicaon in the Pacific Northwest of North America, the overall oviposition preference hierarchy has not diverged significantly, even though these populations differ in the plant species they use in the field. The results indicate that differences in host availability and use have not favored major reorganizations in the preference hierarchy of ovipositing females. Instead, this butterfly has a conserved preference hierarchy that varies within a narrow range among populations. All populations ranked the four test plant species in the same overall relative order, even though these populations differ in the plant species they use in the field.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004420050227
