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Microclimate-based oviposition site selection in butterflies and moths

Simon Braem1,2, Thomas Fartmann3,4, Hans van Dyck1

  • 1Behavioural Ecology & Conservation Group, Earth & Life Institute, UCLouvain, SC12 - Carnoy, Floor 01 Office C 163, Croix du sud 4-5, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|May 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Female butterflies and moths often select warmer microclimates for egg-laying, a behavior called microclimate-based oviposition site selection (MBOSS). This trait significantly impacts offspring survival and is crucial for conservation efforts.

Keywords:
Lepidopterabiodiversity conservationearly‐successional stageegg‐laying behaviourhumiditylarval developmentlife‐history traitmicrohabitatpreference–performance hypothesistemperature

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