Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
The diversity and evolution of host-plant relationships of butterflies has been the subject of much research. In this context, an interesting species is the bog fritillary Boloria eunomia. Across its boreo-montane distribution there are several ecotypes of this butterfly (sometimes distinguished as...
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
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doaj-5a5a69f6c50b47a2b18fca03559884162021-04-16T20:36:13ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292020-10-01117138039210.14411/eje.2020.042eje-202001-0042Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)Przemysław KLIMCZUK0Marcin SIELEZNIEW1Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland; e-mails: bio_przemek@poczta.onet.pl, marcins@uwb.edu.plLaboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland; e-mails: bio_przemek@poczta.onet.pl, marcins@uwb.edu.plThe diversity and evolution of host-plant relationships of butterflies has been the subject of much research. In this context, an interesting species is the bog fritillary Boloria eunomia. Across its boreo-montane distribution there are several ecotypes of this butterfly (sometimes distinguished as subspecies), which inhabit distinctly different habitats. However, little is known about the relationships between these forms in terms of host-plant use. We compared larval preferences of two ecotypes in north-eastern Poland, a unique region that is inhabited by different evolutionary lineages of B. eunomia. Larvae of the meadow ecotype reared in captivity were able to grow and develop exclusively on Persicaria bistorta, i.e., their 'native' host plant. In contrast, larvae originating from populations inhabiting raised bogs generally showed poorer survival, though they accepted both Ericaceae species growing in their biotope and P. bistorta, a plant that does not occur in their biotope. They did not show clear food preferences, but mortality was lowest when they were fed Vaccinium uliginosum. This is puzzling as field observations indicate that Vaccinium oxycoccus is the main host plant in the area studied. However, our findings are consistent with the results of phylogeographical studies indicating that meadows were the ancestral habitats of B. eunomia and some populations adapted later to different biotopes. The poor survival of larvae of the bog ecotype recorded in the present study may indicate that this form is at least locally potentially more vulnerable than the other ecotype.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-202001-0042_asymmetry_in_host_plant_preferences_of_two_ecotypes_of_boloria_eunomia_lepidoptera_nymphalidae.phplepidopteranymphalidaeboloria eunomiaecotypeslarval survivalhost plantnorth-eastern poland |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Przemysław KLIMCZUK Marcin SIELEZNIEW |
spellingShingle |
Przemysław KLIMCZUK Marcin SIELEZNIEW Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) European Journal of Entomology lepidoptera nymphalidae boloria eunomia ecotypes larval survival host plant north-eastern poland |
author_facet |
Przemysław KLIMCZUK Marcin SIELEZNIEW |
author_sort |
Przemysław KLIMCZUK |
title |
Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) |
title_short |
Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) |
title_full |
Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) |
title_fullStr |
Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) |
title_full_unstemmed |
Asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of Boloria eunomia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) |
title_sort |
asymmetry in host plant preferences of two ecotypes of boloria eunomia (lepidoptera: nymphalidae) |
publisher |
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
series |
European Journal of Entomology |
issn |
1210-5759 1802-8829 |
publishDate |
2020-10-01 |
description |
The diversity and evolution of host-plant relationships of butterflies has been the subject of much research. In this context, an interesting species is the bog fritillary Boloria eunomia. Across its boreo-montane distribution there are several ecotypes of this butterfly (sometimes distinguished as subspecies), which inhabit distinctly different habitats. However, little is known about the relationships between these forms in terms of host-plant use. We compared larval preferences of two ecotypes in north-eastern Poland, a unique region that is inhabited by different evolutionary lineages of B. eunomia. Larvae of the meadow ecotype reared in captivity were able to grow and develop exclusively on Persicaria bistorta, i.e., their 'native' host plant. In contrast, larvae originating from populations inhabiting raised bogs generally showed poorer survival, though they accepted both Ericaceae species growing in their biotope and P. bistorta, a plant that does not occur in their biotope. They did not show clear food preferences, but mortality was lowest when they were fed Vaccinium uliginosum. This is puzzling as field observations indicate that Vaccinium oxycoccus is the main host plant in the area studied. However, our findings are consistent with the results of phylogeographical studies indicating that meadows were the ancestral habitats of B. eunomia and some populations adapted later to different biotopes. The poor survival of larvae of the bog ecotype recorded in the present study may indicate that this form is at least locally potentially more vulnerable than the other ecotype. |
topic |
lepidoptera nymphalidae boloria eunomia ecotypes larval survival host plant north-eastern poland |
url |
https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-202001-0042_asymmetry_in_host_plant_preferences_of_two_ecotypes_of_boloria_eunomia_lepidoptera_nymphalidae.php |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT przemysławklimczuk asymmetryinhostplantpreferencesoftwoecotypesofboloriaeunomialepidopteranymphalidae AT marcinsielezniew asymmetryinhostplantpreferencesoftwoecotypesofboloriaeunomialepidopteranymphalidae |
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