Abstract
AbstractBehavioural stresses such as crowding are thought to incur a metabolic cost to insect larvae, and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) has been shown to be a possible indicator of this stress. A study of a Madeiran population of the butterflyPararge aegeriaL. (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae) shows that larval crowding affects larval development and growth, with female larvae being more adversely affected than males. It was predicted that if larval crowding increases FA, male and femaleP. aegeriaadults may show different responses to this stress. The FA of five different wing pattern elements on the dorsal hindwings of adult male and femaleP. aegeriathat had been reared at different larval densities was measured. Crowding inP. aegeriaresulted in a trait‐specific and sex‐specific increase in FA. Although a significant correlation between FA and longevity was not observed, there was a significant correlation with egg‐laying rate. Stressed females increased their egg‐laying rate. An increased egg‐laying rate may carry a further fitness cost through the offspring of stressed females, because high egg‐laying rates are associated with a decline in oviposition site quality.
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