Performance of Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus L.) on two host plants, Asclepias curassavica L. and A. fruticosa L.

• Main Authors: Wang Fei-Chen, 王妃蟬
• Other Authors: 黃紹毅
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37712493184697386622

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 昆蟲學系 === 91 === 捌、英文摘要 The Plain tiger, Danaus chrysippus L., is a common butterfly found in Taiwan. The objective of this study was to compare the first instar feeding preference, oviposition preference and host plant utilization of Plain tiger on two host plants, Asclepias curassarica L. and A. fruticosa L. Both oviposition and feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the host plant qualities on performance of this butterfly. The results of first instar feeding trials indicated that first instar D. chrysippus has no feeding preference between foliage of these two food plants; but female butterflies prefer to oviposit on foliage of A. curassavica. Results of long-term feeding trials showed that larvae fed on foliage of A. fruticosa grow faster than those fed on foliage of A. curassarica. In addition, pupal weight, adult weight, and adult wing length showed distinct differences between D. chrysippus that fed on foliage of different food plants. Result of short-term feeding tests revealed that previous feeding experience before the feeding trials may affect larval performance during the trials. Foliar chemistry analysis in all trials indicated that water content of A. curassarica was significantly higher than that of A. fruticosa. However, insects would have low digestibility when fed on foliage of A. curassarica. This result suggests that high water content in food plants may cause the decrease in digestibility of larvae. This inference may explain the reason why D. chrysippus performs better on foliage of A. fruticosa during the long-term feeding trials. Key words: Danaus chrysippus L., Asclepias curassarica L., Asclepias fruticosa L., cardenolide, ovipostion preference.