Pupal development temperature alters adult phenotype in the speckled wood butterfly, Pararge aegeria

Abstract

1. Most ectotherms have a complex life-cycle, yet the impact temperature has on metamorphic development of adults is generally unknown. 2. In this study, pupal developmental temperature was manipulated separately from larval growth temperature in the speckled wood butterfly ( Pararge aegeria L.). 3. High pupal temperature led to an increase in development rate and also smaller heads, but the size of legs, wings, thoraces and abdomens of adults were not different between treatments. 4. Pupal temperature does alter the adult phenotype but is does not appear to be involved in regulating the previously described seasonal body-forms in this species.