Variation in Nectar and Pollen Availability, Sucrose Preference, and Daily Response in the Use of Flowers by Heliconius erato phyllis

Author(s)

Barp, Elisete A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Soares, Geraldo L. G. ^[3] ; Giani, Erica J. M. ^[4] ; Rodrigues, Daniela ^{[5, 6]} ; Moreira, Gilson R. P. ^{[1, 4, 7]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Programa Posgrad Ecol, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[2] Univ Contestado, Concordia, SC - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Dept Bot, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[6] IB Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Insect Behavior; v. 24, n. 3, p. 200-219, MAY 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The mechanisms mediating the use of flowers in the butterfly Heliconius erato phyllis (Nymphalidae) are poorly understood. Availability of nectar and pollen, nectar concentration, and abundance of Stachytarpheta cayennensis and Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), two flower species commonly used by H. erato phyllis in the Neotropics, as well as flower use by this butterfly species in the field were examined in southern Brazil. Under insectary conditions, the preference of H. erato phyllis for different sucrose concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80%) and the ability to associate sucrose concentrations with preferred and non-preferred flower colors were evaluated through choice tests. Lantana camara inflorescences were less abundant, but contained larger amounts of pollen and nectar than S. cayennensis, and H. erato phyllis utilized the flowers of the former species with higher frequency compared to the latter. In the choice tests, butterflies fed more intensely on 20 and 40% sucrose solutions, an interval in which the nectars of L. camara and S. cayennensis are situated, and were able to associate preferred sucrose concentrations with flower color efficiently within the color spectrum of L. camara flowers (i.e., preferred colors), but not within that of S. cayennensis (non-preferred colors). Thus, the greater use of L. camara flowers by H. erato phyllis is related to the plant's superior floral rewards and not flower abundance, and to the cognitive abilities of these butterflies to adjust their feeding to the availability of pollen and nectar. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing sucrose preferences in a butterfly species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/07802-4 - Advances in the study of polyphagy in neotropical Lepidoptera
• Grantee: Daniela Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral