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Science 2 June 1978:
Vol. 200. no. 4345, pp. 1071 - 1073
DOI: 10.1126/science.200.4345.1071
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Articles

Search Image for Leaf Shape in a Butterfly

MARK D. RAUSHER 1

1 Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

The butterfly Battus philenor forms search images for leaf shape when searching for its two larval host plants in southeast Texas. This behavior increases the rate of discovery of host plants and permits females to track changes in relative host plant suitability for larval growth. Apostatic selection resulting from search image formation is a likely explanation for divergence in leaf shape by the two host plants.

Submitted on November 11, 1977
Revised on February 2, 1978


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Associative Learning in Egglaying Site Selection by Apple Maggot Flies.
R. J. PROKOPY, A. L. AVERILL, S. S. COOLEY, and C. A. ROITBERG (1982)
Science 218, 76-77
   Abstract »    PDF »
Insects as Selective Agents on Plant Vegetative Morphology: Egg Mimicry Reduces Egg Laying by Butterflies.
K. S. WILLIAMS and L. E. GILBERT (1981)
Science 212, 467-469
   Abstract »    PDF »
Search Image Formation in the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).
A. T. PIETREWICZ and A. C. KAMIL (1979)
Science 204, 1332-1333
   Abstract »    PDF »


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