Laboratory Feeding Preferences of the Banded Woollybear, Isia isabella12

Abstract

Larvae of Isia isabella (J. E. Smith) were offered cuttings of 95 plant species representing 57 families. The plants included many that contain well-known secondary plant substances. Feeding was assayed by fecal pellet count and direct observation in a 24-hour period. Consumption of the various plants varied widely, but many of the biochemically distinctive species were eaten readily. Only 1 plant, Equisetum arvense, failed to elicit any feeding response. Petunia violacea was consumed freely but is toxic to young larvae after 24 hours' exposure; older larvae tolerate the plant.