Experimental Analyses of Body Morphology, Flight and Survival in Pierine Butterflies

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9419850 Kingsolver Some insect species accumulate distasteful or toxic chemicals to deter potential predators, while others rely on speed or manuverability to escape. Palatable and distasteful butterfly species tend to differ in body and wing shape, flight speed and flight manuverability, but it is unclear how these characters are interrelated and how they affect vulnerability to predation. This research will use experimental manipulations of the distribution of body weight to test hypotheses about how body weight and body shape determines flight and survival under lab and field conditions in both palatable and unpalatable butterflies. One of the study species is an important agricultural pest. The research will provide an experimental case study of the targets and mechanisms of natural selection that operate on flight and dispersal in insects.