Passiflora (Passifloraceae) defenses against Heliconius cydno (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) oviposition, May 2009

Alternative Title

Las defensas de Passiflora (Passifloraceae) contra la oviposición de Heliconius cydno (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae)

Creator

Kim Khuc

Files

Publication Date

May 2009

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of Passiflora defenses: elevated levels of cyanide, egg mimics, and variable leaf shapes, against oviposition from Heliconius cydno. The effectiveness of these defenses would reveal H. cydno’s preferences for oviposition sites and the primary criteria it uses when evaluating oviposition sites. Forty-two Passiflora oerstedii vines from the Monteverde Butterfly Garden, in Costa Rica, were divided into three treatments that added either cyanide, false eggs, or changed the shape of young leaves. Another twelve Passiflora coccinea vines were used in a second experiment that added false eggs to the young leaves, tendrils, and meristems. The results show trends that the various treatments deterred oviposition. Out of the 11 total eggs laid on leaves in the cyanide treatment, 82% of the total number of eggs was on the control leaves, then 9% on the methanol leaves and 9% on the methanol-cyanide leaves, indicating that the chemical cues from methanol discourage oviposition by H. cydno (!2 = 11.64, df = 2, p = 0.003). For the vines with false eggs, out of a total of 19 eggs, 68% of the eggs were on the control leaves (! 2 = 2.58, df = 1, p = 0.11). Lastly, the control leaves of the modified leaf shape experiment had 73% of the total number of eggs, 15, while the modified leaves had 27% (! 2 = 3.23, df = 1, p = 0.07). These trends show that H. cydno likely relies on chemical cues more than visual cues when choosing oviposition sites. In addition, the lack of evidence for larval cannibalism in H. cydno and its willingness to oviposit on multiple Passiflora species demonstrate that egg mimics and variable leaf shapes are less significant factors in oviposition decisions.

Resumen

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la efectividad de las defensas de Passiflora: altos niveles de cianuro, mimetismo de huevos y las diferentes formas de las hojas; contra la oviposición de Heliconius cydno.

Keywords

Passiflora, Nymphalidae, Butterflies, CIEE Spring 2009

Palabras claves

Mariposas, CIEE Primavera 2009

Extent

12 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde Butterfly Garden (Costa Rica)

Ubicación geográfica

Jardín de Mariposas Monteverde (Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00529

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Khuc, Kim, "Passiflora (Passifloraceae) defenses against Heliconius cydno (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) oviposition, May 2009" (2009). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 298.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/298