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The feeding behaviour of Carterocephalus palaemon (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) caterpillars: does it avoid host defences or maximize nutrient intake?
Author(s) -
RAVENSCROFT N. O. M.
Publication year - 1994
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.1365-2311.1994.tb00386.x
Subject(s) - biology , nutrient , lepidoptera genitalia , host (biology) , larva , ecology , zoology , botany
.1 The larvae of the chequered skipper butterfly Carterocephalus palaemon notch the blades of purple moor‐grass Molinia caerulea before feeding. 2 The nutrient concentrations above and below these notches were measured and the nutrient concentrations of undamaged blades of the host plant. 3 Nutrient concentrations above the notches remained similar to undamaged blades for a short period, whilst concentrations below declined, especially nitrogen, calcium and magnesium. 4 The feeding behaviour of C.palaemon larvae is discussed in relation to declining levels of nutrients in the food plant over the larval season and to other possible reasons for this behaviour, such as avoidance of host defences initiated in response to attack.