Variation in utilization of young leaves by a swallowtail butterfly across a deer density gradient

Abstract

Phytophagous insects can be affected by plant trait-mediated indirect effects of large herbivores, but little is known regarding how these effects change in response to different densities of large herbivores. To assess the response of an insect to plant qualitative change, the response of a woody vine (Aristolochia kaempferi) to browsing by sika deer (Cervus nippon) and utilization of young leaves by a swallowtail butterfly (Byasa alcinous) were investigated across a deer density gradient. Natural and simulated deer browsing stimulated the regrowth of A. kaempferi and improved nutritional and physical quality of leaves. Young leaves were frequently observed in areas with high deer densities. The proportion of young leaves among the leaves selected for oviposition was higher than their proportion of the total number of leaves. In areas with low deer densities, the utilization of young leaves by B. alcinous increased linearly with deer density, whereas in areas with high deer densities, the utilization of young leaves was around 90%.