Oviposition specificity in single vs. cluster egg-laying butterflies: a discrimination phase in Colias eurytheme?

Abstract

Oviposition preferences and rates of the pierid butterfly Colias eurytheme were examined in laboratory tests. Oviposition rates with only a non-preferred host plant present were not lower than rates observed when both preferred and non-preferred hosts were present. There was no correlation between strength of preference in simultaneous choice tests and the extent to which oviposition rate declined when the preferred host was absent. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that butterflies which lay their eggs singly will accept non-preferred hosts for oviposition more readily than cluster egg-layers.