Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The evolutionary relationship between adult oviposition preferences and larval host plant range in Papilio machaon L.

  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In Papilio machaon host plant utilization is argued to be proximally guided by adult and larval preferences, both of which are genetically determined. To decide whether these preferences are controlled by one or two gene complexes, oviposition preferences and larval survival of a Scandinavian population were investigated with regard to all potential host plants in the region. The experiments revealed a substantial difference between the potential host plant ranges of the adults and the larvae, indicating that adult and larval host plant preferences are determined by separate gene complexes.

Based on this inference, a theoretical model is developed for the co-evolutionary relationship between adult oviposition preferences and larval feeding preferences for species in which the host plant choice is exercised by the adults.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dethier, V. G.: Evolution of feeding preferences in phytophagous insects. Evolution 8, 33–54 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Drude, C. G. O.: Umbelliferae, S. 63–250. In: A. Engler, K. Prantl, eds., Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien, Vol. 3. Leipzig: Engelmann 1898

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, L. E., Singer, M. C.: Dispersal and gene flow in a butterfly species. Amer. Naturalist 107, 58–72 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levins, R., MacArthur, R.: An hypothesis to explain the incidence of monophagy. Ecology 50, 910–911 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Remington, C. L.: The biology of nearctic Lepidoptera. I. Foodplants and life-histories of Colorado Papilionoidea. Psyche 59, 61–70 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, M. C.: Evolution of food-plant preferences in the butterfly Euphydryas editha. Evolution 25, 383–389 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, M. C.: Complex components of habitat suitability within a butterfly colony. Science 176, 75–77 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Straatman, R.: Notes on certain Lepidoptera ovipositing on plants which are toxic to their larvae. J. Lepid. Soc. 16, 99–103 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stride, G. O., Straatman, R.: The host plant relationship of an Australian swallowtail, Papilio aegeus, and its significance in the evolution of host plant selection. Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 87, 69–78 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, W. H.: Biological races in insects and allied groups. Biol. Rev. (Woods Hole) 5, 175–212 (1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiklund, C.: Host plant suitability and the mechanism of host selection in larvae of Papilio machaon. Ent. exp. appl. 16, 232–242 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiklund, C.: Oviposition preferences in Papilio machaon in relation to the host plants of the larvae. Ent. exp. appl. 17, 189–198 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiklund, C.: The concept of oligophagy and the natural habitats and host plants of Papilio machaon in Fennoscandia. Ent. Scand. 5, 151–160 (1974b)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm, Stockholm

    C. Wiklund

Authors
  1. C. Wiklund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wiklund, C. The evolutionary relationship between adult oviposition preferences and larval host plant range in Papilio machaon L.. Oecologia 18, 185–197 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345421

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345421

Keywords

Search

Navigation