Abstract
Post-diapause third instar larvae of Chlosyne acastus sterope from shrub-steppe habitat near Benton City in central Washington were reared to adulthood at 25 oC on Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Erigeron linearis and a hitherto unrecorded host, Ericameria nauseosa. Larvae developed successfully on all host plants but survival was highest on C. viscidiflorus and E. linearis and lowest on E. nauseosa. Mean larval duration from post-diapause entry into laboratory conditions until pupation was shortest when fed C. viscidiflorus and longest on E. nauseosa or E. linearis. Mean pupal duration was longest on E. linearis and shortest on E. nauseosa and C. viscidiflorus. Mean forewing lengths of adults were shorter when larvae were reared on E. linearis. Ericameria nauseosa is sub-optimal for C. a. sterope in terms of larval survival but produces optimally-sized pupae and adults. Feeding on E. linearis is optimal for survival but slow-developing larvae produce small pupae and adults. Possible fitness implications of this host plant-mediated variation in larval survival, pupal weight, duration and adult size in C. a. sterope are discussed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
