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The specialization continuum: Decision-making in butterflies with different diet requirements
Bruna de Cássia Menezes Ramos1, José Roberto Trigo2, Daniela Rodrigues1
1Laboratório de Interações Inseto-Planta and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, PO Box 68020. 21941-902. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Behavioural Processes
|June 10, 2019
Summary
Butterfly feeding choices depend on diet needs and plant chemistry. Butterflies specializing in pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) showed varied nectar preferences, with experience not significantly altering decisions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Chemical Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Floral visitors' dietary needs influence nectar source selection based on chemical composition.
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites found in nectar that can affect insect feeding behavior.
- Butterflies exhibit a specialization continuum for PA consumption, ranging from non-specialists to high-demand specialists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how butterflies with varying degrees of PA specialization make feeding decisions when presented with PA and non-PA nectar sources.
- To assess the impact of prior experience on PA-containing flowers on butterfly decision-making.
- To compare the feeding behavior of a non-specialist butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) with two PA-specialist species (Danaus erippus and D. gilippus).
Main Methods:
- Butterflies were tested on two plant species: Tridax procumbens (no PAs) and Ageratum conyzoides (with PAs).
- Decision-making was evaluated by observing feeding acceptance and rejection behaviors.
- Experience was manipulated by prior exposure to PA-containing flowers.
Main Results:
- Agraulis vanillae preferred T. procumbens and rejected A. conyzoides, while Danaus species showed no significant difference between the two plants.
- A. vanillae consumed less nectar from A. conyzoides compared to both Danaus species.
- Prior experience with PA flowers did not influence feeding time in any of the studied butterfly species.
- In field observations, PA flowers were rarely visited by any butterfly, irrespective of their specialization level.
Conclusions:
- The degree of PA specialization in butterflies is a significant factor influencing their nectar-feeding decisions.
- While specialization plays a role, other factors like local adaptation and the availability of alternative nectar sources can modulate flower visitation by specialist butterflies.
- Butterfly decision-making regarding nectar sources is complex, involving both chemical cues and ecological context.
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