Ecological factors which influence migratory behavior in two butterflies of the semi-arid shrublands of South Texas.
By Gilbert, L.E.
Gilbert, L.E. 1985. Ecological factors which influence migratory behavior in two butterflies of the semi-arid shrublands of South Texas. Pp. 724-747
in: M.A. Rankin. (editor). Migration: Mechanisms and Adaptive Significance. Contributions in Marine Science Supplement Vol. 27. Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas.
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Seminal paper on American Snout (
Libytheana carinenta)and Lyside Sulphur (
Kricogonia lyside) outbreaks in South Texas.
Abstract:
Temporal and spatial patterns of drought and rainfall influence patterns of host leaf production and extent of parasitoid-induced mortality in south Texas Lepidoptera. These factors can in turn interact to induce population outbreak and migratory flight in
Libytheana and
Kricogonia, two butterflies which depend upon new growth of the shrubs
Celtis and
Porlieria respectively. Differences between these shrubs in seasonal phenology and resistance to, or response to, defoliation result in asynchronous migratory flights and different degrees of sexual dimorphism for onset of migratory flight by the two insects. Adults of both butteffly species may respond to declining resources by entering reproductive diapause locally, or by initiating migratory flight. However, details of such responses vary with species and time of year and remain a fertile direction for future research.