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Microstructure of feeding by tobacco hornworm caterpillars, Manduca sexta
Author(s) -
Bowdan E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1988.tb01127.x
Subject(s) - manduca sexta , biology , sphingidae , cafeteria , meal , caterpillar , manduca , botany , feeding behavior , lepidoptera genitalia , toxicology , zoology , insect , food science , medicine , pathology
The microstructure of the feeding activity of tobacco hornworm caterpillars ( Manduca sexta Johansson) on tomato leaf was examined by means of an automated cafeteria. In this device each activity of the caterpillar generates a characteristic slow electrical change which can be recorded. The apparatus is therefore both accurate and sensitive. Examination of the activity records indicated that larger animals ate more than smaller ones by increasing both bite frequency and the lengths of meals. Meal frequency did not increase. Correlations amongst a variety of measures indicated that there was regulation of feeding both between and within meals.