Assessment of egg load by Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) (original) (raw)

Nature volume 266, pages 352–355 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

IF offered a choice of cabbage or Reseda the large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) first lays a certain number of eggs on the former food-plant and then oviposits on Reseda. We have found that several cues enable the butterfly to ‘assess’ the egg load present on a plant or leaf, and at the appropriate moment switch to the previously less acceptable species. Overloading is thus avoided. Feeding larvae and damaged foliage are also deterrents to oviposition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ashton, Peterborough
    MIRIAM ROTHSCHILD
  2. Laboratorium voor Dierfysiologie, Landbouwhogeschool, Wageningen, The Netherlands
    L. M. SCHOONHOVEN

Authors

  1. MIRIAM ROTHSCHILD
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  2. L. M. SCHOONHOVEN
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ROTHSCHILD, M., SCHOONHOVEN, L. Assessment of egg load by Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae).Nature 266, 352–355 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266352a0

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