Feeding responses and food preferences in the tropical, fruit-feeding butterfly, Bicyclus anynana

Journal of Insect Physiology
Anneke Dierks, Klaus Fischer

Abstract

In the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana (Nymphalidae) essential components of fitness (such as fecundity and longevity) depend to a large degree on exogenous adult-derived nutrients, particularly carbohydrates. We investigated which of the nutrients/compounds found in the adult diet act as feeding stimuli, and whether butterflies show preferences for particular nutrients or combinations. Only sugars and alcohols acted as feeding stimuli, the highest responses being found for sucrose, glucose, ethanol, butanol and propanol. Various other compounds (e.g. amino acids, acetic acid, vitamins, lipids, salts, and yeast) did not elicit any probing or feeding responses. Behavioural tests revealed a clear preference hierarchy for sugars (sucrose>glucose>fructose>maltose), but not for alcohols. Butterflies did not discriminate between sucrose solutions enriched with different nutrients and plain sucrose solutions, although they showed a preference for acetic acid and an aversion to salts and ascorbic acid when offered in combination with sucrose. Throughout, both sexes showed very similar patterns. We conclude that locating carbohydrate sources seems sufficient to cover all the butterflies' nutritional needs, while alcohols function pr...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 4, 2013·PloS One·Andrea SchneiderHenrike Scholz
Mar 13, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Graeme D RuxtonThomas N Sherratt
Aug 6, 2013·Journal of Insect Science·Yuchong TangHua Zheng
Apr 15, 2016·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
Oct 23, 2018·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Julie A MustardAlexander Stoker
Apr 3, 2015·Physiological Reviews·Yuri L DorokhovTatiana V Komarova
Jun 23, 2015·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Michaël BeaulieuKlaus Fischer
Mar 23, 2018·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Anne A MaddenRobert R Dunn

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