Chemical mediation of differential oviposition and larval survival on rutaceous plants in a swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polytes

Abstract

Abstract Papilio polytes utilizes only a few plant species of Rutaceae as hosts in the field. We examined in detail the acceptability of Toddalia asiatica (a major host plant) and three other potential rutaceous hosts, Murraya paniculata, Melicope triphylla, and Phellodendron amurense, for ovipositing females of the butterfly. Female responses to the foliage, methanol extracts, and partitioned fractions from these plants were assayed for the presence of oviposition stimulants and/or deterrents. Larval survivorship on these plant species was also compared as an estimate of fitness. The foliage and a methanol extract of T. asiatica readily induced egg‐laying, while females responded moderately to the foliage and a methanol extract of P. amurense. By contrast, ovipositing females only marginally accepted Me. triphylla and completely rejected Mu. paniculata. Further experiments to test the biological activity of fractions derived from the respective plant species revealed that T. asiatica contains potent oviposition stimulant(s) and that weak stimulant(s) are present in P. amurense. Poor or negative oviposition responses to both Me. triphylla and Mu. paniculata proved to be attributable to strong deterrent(s) present in these plants. Larvae performed very well on T. asiatica and P. amurense, whereas larval mortality was much higher on Mu. paniculata and Me. triphylla, suggesting the involvement of antifeedant(s) or toxic substance(s) in these plants.