Differential Use of Lauraceous Hosts by Swallowtail Butterflies, Papilio troilus and P. palamedes (Papilionidae)

• Published in: Oikos 1992-03, Vol.63 (2), p.244-252
• Main Authors: Lederhouse, Robert C., Ayres, Matthew P., Nitao, James K., Scriber, J. Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Average linear density; Biological and medical sciences; Eggs; Female animals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Insect ecology; Insect larvae; Instars; Invertebrates; Larval development; Lauraceae; Leaves; Lepidoptera; Papilio palamedes; Papilio troilus; Papilionidae; Plants; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Pupae
• ISSN: 0030-1299; 1600-0706
• DOI: 10.2307/3545384

Although both Papilio troilus and P. palamedes are Lauraceae specialists, the geographic range of P. troilus is much more extensive. To help understand the basis for this distributional difference, we examined their growth and behavior on several potential host species. Larvae of P. troilus and P. palamedes were fed foliage of Cinnamomum camphora, Lindera benzoin, Persea borbonia, and Sassafras albidum. We measured neonate mass, first instar growth rate, daily mortality, total larval duration, pupal mass, and adult emergence. Larval survival and first instar growth rate were highest for P. troilus on Lindera and for P. palamedes on Persea. The reciprocal combinations had the lowest survival and first instar growth rate. Survival of both swallowtails was intermediate on Sassafras, but larvae that survived had the highest lifetime growth rates and produced the heaviest pupae. Interspecific variation in growth performance was large compared to intraspecific variation, and unlike intraspecific variation, revealed a dramatic reciprocal inability to use different hosts. On their preferred hosts, lifetime growth rates of both specialist insects were much higher than that of related generalist swallowtails. Neonate larvae of P. troilus preferred Sassafras foliage to Persea, whereas larvae of P. palamedes either preferred Persea or showed no preference. With regard to adults, P. palamedes females laid 87% of their eggs on Persea and the rest on Sassafras in two-choice tests. In three-choice tests, P. troilus females placed equal numbers of eggs on Sassafras and Lindera, but only about 10% on Persea. The restricted geographic range of P. palamedes appears to be the result of oviposition preference rather than differential larval abilities.