Title

Oviposition preference and larval growth rates of Caligo memnon (Nymphalidae: Brassolinae)

Alternative Title

Oviposición de las preferencias y las tasas de crecimiento de las larvas de Caligo memnon (Nymphalidae: Brassolinae)

Creator

Emily Webb

Files

Publication Date

December 2006

Abstract

Caligo memnon caterpillars specialize on plants in three families, Heliconiaceae, Marantaceae, and Musaceea. These families are in the Order Zingiberales. Heliconiaceae and Marantaceae are native to the Neotropics, but Musaceae is an introduced family. I studied oviposition preference and larval performance of C. memnon on four host plants: Heliconia latispatha and Heliconia stricta (Heliconiacea), Calathea insignis (Marantaceae), and Musa acuminata (Musacea). Results showed that preferred host plants for oviposition did not correspond to the host plant that provided the fastest growth rate for caterpillars. Females preferred to oviposit on M. acuminata even though larval growth was lowest on this species, though not significantly. It may be that C. memnon is exhibiting maladaptive oviposition behavior and the introduced M. acuminata may be confusing the coevolved mechanisms for host plant choice.

Resumen

Estudié la preferencia en el sitio de oviposición y el desarrollo de la larva de C. memnon en cuatro plantas hospederas: Heliconia latispatha y Heliconia stricta (Heliconiacea), Calathea insignis (Marantaceae) y Musa acuminata (Musaceae).

Keywords

Caligo memnon, Insects--Behavior, CIEE Fall 2006

Palabras claves

Insectos--Comportamiento, CIEE Otoño 2006

Extent

7 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00365

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Webb, Emily, "Oviposition preference and larval growth rates of Caligo memnon (Nymphalidae: Brassolinae)" (2006). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 312.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/312