Variation in Host Preference Affects Movement Patterns Within a Butterfly Population
1987
Thomas, C. D. | Singer, M. C.
Within a population of the butterfly Euphydryas editha, there is variation in post—alighting oviposition preference. After alighting, most females prefer to lay eggs on Pedicularis semibarbata, while a minority prefer another host, Collinsia torreyi. This variation in preference was correlated with variation in movements to and from patches of the two host species. Females were likely to leave areas without preferred hosts and stay where preferred hosts were present. This association between preference and movement increases the correlation between oviposition preference and host use, and increases the likelihood of host race formation. This study also shows an effect of habitat quality on movement, independently of other factors. Interpretation of the correlation between preference and movement requires knowledge of the relationship between encounter and preference. We present evidence that repeated encounters with one or the other host species have no influence on acceptance for oviposition of either host.
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