Sabotaging Behavior and Decision-Making in Larvae of the Queen Butterfly Danaus gilippus

摘要: Sabotaging behavior and decision-making during ontogeny in herbivorous insects remain largely underappreciated. Insects that use hosts bearing articulated laticifers would be expected to cut trenches deactivate this plant defense. Contrary expectation, larvae of Danaus erippus display vein cutting when feeding on Asclepias curassavica, a host with anastomosing laticifers; the frequency sabotaging varies according ontogeny. Scant records indicate congener gilippus perform both trenching vein-cutting milkweeds. In view incongruency, we examined D. A. curassavica larval Continuous observations revealed always sabotaged leaves before feeding. Leaves were selected by for size but not age. Early instars large leaves, decreased as grew. Vein became predominant late instars, petiole was observed all last instars. Because ubiquitous, artificial cuts made intact examine if leaf severance affects frequency; significantly artificially damaged leaves. Although has strong innate component gilippus, information regarding dimension is important processes take place. As differs from respect type same host, other factors than anatomy probably play role mediating butterfly group.