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Effects of nectar amino acids on fecundity of the wall brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera L.)

Mevi-Schutz, J. and Erhardt, A.. (2003) Effects of nectar amino acids on fecundity of the wall brown butterfly (Lasiommata megera L.). Basic and applied ecology, Vol. 4, H. 5. pp. 413-421.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5249101

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Abstract

The importance of nectar constituents, especially amino acids, for fecundity in butterflies has been controversial. This study examined the influence of Lantana camara nectar amino acids on various fecundity parameters, taking maternal lineage into consideration. Lasiommata megera L. butterflies were either fed a nectar mimic containing amino acids or a nectar mimic without amino acids. Over the oviposition period, the butterflies showed a decrease in food consumption, a decrease in number of eggs laid and a decrease in egg weight, regardless of diet treatment. Daily egg production, egg weight and total egg mass were the same whether the females received amino acids or not. Longevity of the butterflies was unaffected by the diet treatment. Nectar amino acid uptake by the females did not influence egg mortality, carbon/nitrogen ratio of freshly emerged larvae, overwintering survival rate of the larvae, nor the adult emergence weight of these offspring. This study does demonstrate that the total number of eggs laid was significantly influenced by both the emergence weight of the female and the total amount of nectar mimic ingested. Furthermore, egg weight differed among maternal lineages.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Ehemalige Einheiten Umweltwissenschaften > Botanik (Erhardt)
UniBasel Contributors:Erhardt, Andreas
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1439-1791
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Identification Number:
Last Modified:22 Mar 2012 14:28
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 14:03

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