Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators
Some taxa have adopted the strategy of mimicry to protect themselves from predation. Butterflies are some of the best representatives used to study mimicry, with the monarch butterfly, <i>Danaus plexippus</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) a well-known model. We are the first to empirically...
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MDPI AG
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/9/4/150 |
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| author | Dale A. Halbritter Johnalyn M. Gordon Kandy L. Keacher Michael L. Avery Jaret C. Daniels |
| author_facet | Dale A. Halbritter Johnalyn M. Gordon Kandy L. Keacher Michael L. Avery Jaret C. Daniels |
| author_sort | Dale A. Halbritter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Some taxa have adopted the strategy of mimicry to protect themselves from predation. Butterflies are some of the best representatives used to study mimicry, with the monarch butterfly, <i>Danaus plexippus</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) a well-known model. We are the first to empirically investigate a proposed mimic of the monarch butterfly: <i>Neophasia terlooii</i>, the Mexican pine white butterfly (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). We used captive birds to assess the palatability of <i>N. terlooii</i> and its sister species, <i>N. menapia</i>, to determine the mimicry category that would best fit this system. The birds readily consumed both species of <i>Neophasia</i> and a palatable control species but refused to eat unpalatable butterflies such as <i>D. plexippus</i> and <i>Heliconius charithonia</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Given some evidence for mild unpalatability of <i>Neophasia</i>, we discuss the results considering modifications to classic mimicry theory, i.e., a palatability-based continuum between Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, with a quasi-Batesian intermediate. Understanding the ecology of <i>Neophasia</i> in light of contemporary and historical sympatry with <i>D. plexippus</i> could shed light on the biogeography of, evolution of, and predation pressure on the monarch butterfly, whose migration event has become a conservation priority. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:01:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-535219215bd148c8bddceafcd48ae3aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:01:50Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-535219215bd148c8bddceafcd48ae3aa2022-12-22T01:13:43ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502018-10-019415010.3390/insects9040150insects9040150Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian PredatorsDale A. Halbritter0Johnalyn M. Gordon1Kandy L. Keacher2Michael L. Avery3Jaret C. Daniels4USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USAFort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3205 College Ave, Davie, FL 33314, USAFlorida Field Station, USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center, 2820 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, USAFlorida Field Station, USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center, 2820 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, USAEntomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr, Steinmetz Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USASome taxa have adopted the strategy of mimicry to protect themselves from predation. Butterflies are some of the best representatives used to study mimicry, with the monarch butterfly, <i>Danaus plexippus</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) a well-known model. We are the first to empirically investigate a proposed mimic of the monarch butterfly: <i>Neophasia terlooii</i>, the Mexican pine white butterfly (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). We used captive birds to assess the palatability of <i>N. terlooii</i> and its sister species, <i>N. menapia</i>, to determine the mimicry category that would best fit this system. The birds readily consumed both species of <i>Neophasia</i> and a palatable control species but refused to eat unpalatable butterflies such as <i>D. plexippus</i> and <i>Heliconius charithonia</i> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Given some evidence for mild unpalatability of <i>Neophasia</i>, we discuss the results considering modifications to classic mimicry theory, i.e., a palatability-based continuum between Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, with a quasi-Batesian intermediate. Understanding the ecology of <i>Neophasia</i> in light of contemporary and historical sympatry with <i>D. plexippus</i> could shed light on the biogeography of, evolution of, and predation pressure on the monarch butterfly, whose migration event has become a conservation priority.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/9/4/150birdbutterfly<i>Danaus plexippus</i>mimicry<i>Neophasia</i>palatabilitypredation |
| spellingShingle | Dale A. Halbritter Johnalyn M. Gordon Kandy L. Keacher Michael L. Avery Jaret C. Daniels Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators Insects bird butterfly <i>Danaus plexippus</i> mimicry <i>Neophasia</i> palatability predation |
| title | Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators |
| title_full | Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators |
| title_short | Evaluating an Alleged Mimic of the Monarch Butterfly: <i>Neophasia</i> (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies are Palatable to Avian Predators |
| title_sort | evaluating an alleged mimic of the monarch butterfly i neophasia i lepidoptera pieridae butterflies are palatable to avian predators |
| topic | bird butterfly <i>Danaus plexippus</i> mimicry <i>Neophasia</i> palatability predation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/9/4/150 |
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