Abstract
The effect of intraspecific competition for food on larvae and of food deprivation for 24 h on 2nd and 4th instars of Ascia monuste orseis (Godart, 1819) was investigated. Intraspecific competition for food during the immature phase leads to long pupation time, high larval mortality, reduced adult weight, and reduced number of eggs per female. In food deprivation experiments, the major differences in A. monuste orseis performance were long pupation time in the group that was deprived during the 2nd instar; and a negative effect on reproduction in the group that was deprived during the 4th instar, with reduced adult weight. Both food deprived periods tested are critical, and deprivation during the 2nd instar seems to have an effect as drastic as during the 4th instar because it directly affects larvae survival. Immatures can resist food deprivation for 24 h during the 2nd and 4th instars (low mortality), have a compensatory behaviour (high ingestion and biomass gain) during the 5th instar, and do not demonstrate cannibalistic behaviour during food deprivation.
Highlights
Lepidopterans are specialized in the selection of oviposition places
Intraspecific competition for food during the larval phase leads to serious problems for A. monuste orseis performance as described for others insects, e. g. long time for pupation and high larval mortality (PETERS & BARBOSA, 1977) and reduced adult weight and number of eggs per female (BANKS & THOMPSON, 1987; HIRSCHBERGER, 1999)
The pupation decision must consider the biomass gained during the immature phase; if a caterpillar is in its final instar with a low weight, it is necessary to evaluate the potential cost of a longer development and the cost of reduced adult weight (SLANSKY, 1980)
Summary
These “mistakes” are ovipositions on plant species outside the normal range of acceptable hosts (THOMPSON & PELLMYR, 1991) and/or ovipositions that affect larval survival. Larve migrate to a new food resource when there is group competition. G. large egg clutches, egg-laying on small or old leaves, on small or old plants and egg-laying on the stem. Some ovipositional “mistakes” are frequently observed e. The consequences of these “mistakes” are immature migration to obtain a new food resource and food deprivation.
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