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Behaviour of specialist and generalist caterpillars on plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Author(s) -
STAMP NANCY E.,
BOWERS M. DEANE
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1992.tb01058.x
Subject(s) - generalist and specialist species , plantaginaceae , biology , plantago , nymphalidae , herbivore , botany , foraging , agronomy , lepidoptera genitalia , horticulture , ecology , habitat
.1 Foraging patterns of specialist ( Junonia coenia Hubner: Nymphalidae) and generalist ( Spilosoma congrua Wlk.: Arctiidae) caterpillars on five genotypes of plantain ( Plantago lanceolata L.: Plantaginaceae) were examined in an experimental garden. 2 Movement by the specialists reflected declining availability of new leaves. When direct sunlight was available, these caterpillars were usually exposed to it. 3 Although the generalists also preferred new leaves, they spent less than 50% of their time on the plantain and changed location more frequently than the specialists. They often hid at the base of plants or under leaves. 4 Plant genotype influenced the apparency of the specialists and damage by the herbivores.