The Cost of Being Aposematic. An Experimental Study of Predation on Larvae of Papilio Machaon by the Great Tit Parus Major

Abstract

Today there is a general consensus that aposematic coloration only can evolve through kin selection. This follows from the contention that aposematic insects are constantly conspicuous and killed when first encountered by a predator. To test the cost of being aposematic fifteen wild-caught great tits, Parus major L., were allowed to choose between mealworms and swallowtail larvae, Papilio machaon L. Generally the birds (73%) attacked the swallowtail larva at the first opportunity and learned to avoid the larvae after experiencing their distastefulness. However, all the swallowtail larvae survived the attack. Thus, the cost of being aposematic may be quite small, especially as aposematic coloration need not be equivalent to advertising coloration, but may render an insect simultaneously cryptic and aposematic. Accordingly, kin selection should not be considered a prerequisite for the evolution of aposematic coloration.