Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A diet-induced developmental polymorphism in a caterpillar.

E Greene

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |February 3, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Abstracts of the 26th International Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of HIV, Hepatitis and other Antiviral Drugs 2025, 3-4 September 2025, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

    British journal of clinical pharmacology·2025
    Same author

    Influence of different heat stress models on nutrient digestibility and markers of stress, inflammation, lipid, and protein metabolism in broilers.

    Poultry science·2023
    Same author

    Lithium Toxicity; Important Considerations When Treating a Medically Unwell Older Adult Prescribed Lithium.

    Irish medical journal·2023
    Same author

    Unique chemical parameters and microbial activity lead to increased archaeological preservation at the Roman frontier site of Vindolanda, UK.

    Scientific reports·2021
    Same author

    Identification of mitochondrial hormone receptors in avian muscle cells.

    Poultry science·2018
    Same author

    A Study To Assess The Prevalence Of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction In Inter-County Hurling.

    Irish medical journal·2018
    Same journal

    Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Local signals, systemic decline.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    The mechanics of liver regeneration.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Computing in a memory with physics.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Retraction.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Making time.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    See all related articles

    Caterpillar development in Nemoria arizonaria is influenced by diet. Tannin concentration in food plants, like oak catkins or leaves, triggers the development of different caterpillar forms, affecting mimicry.

    Area of Science:

    • Ecology
    • Evolutionary Biology
    • Chemical Ecology

    Background:

    • Larval development in insects can exhibit polyphenism, leading to distinct morphs.
    • Nemoria arizonaria caterpillars display seasonal polyphenism, mimicking either oak catkins or twigs.
    • This developmental plasticity is hypothesized to be influenced by dietary factors.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of dietary secondary compounds, specifically tannins, in triggering developmental polymorphism in Nemoria arizonaria caterpillars.
    • To determine if tannin concentration in the larval diet dictates the development of catkin or twig morphs.

    Main Methods:

    • Rearing Nemoria arizonaria caterpillars on different diets: natural oak catkins (low tannin), oak leaves (high tannin), and artificial diets with varying tannin concentrations.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Observing and documenting the resulting morphs (catkin or twig mimics) developed by the caterpillars from each dietary treatment.

    • Main Results:

    • Caterpillars fed exclusively on low-tannin catkins developed into catkin morphs.
    • Caterpillars fed on high-tannin leaves developed into twig morphs.
    • Caterpillars reared on artificial diets with elevated tannin concentrations predominantly developed into twig morphs, even when the base diet was catkins.

    Conclusions:

    • Tannin concentration in the larval diet is a key environmental cue triggering developmental polymorphism in Nemoria arizonaria.
    • Diet-induced polyphenism allows caterpillars to adapt their morphology for camouflage based on seasonal availability of food resources and their chemical composition.
    • This study highlights the significant impact of plant chemical defenses on insect development and mimicry.