Does Brightness Mean Warning Colouration in Butterfly Wings?

Authors

  • Christopher K. Starr Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago
  • Sharon Boodram Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Dale N. Stephens Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Kevin S. Andrews Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Shane T. Ballah Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Marissa N. Gowrie Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Princess M. Jagoo Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Natasha M. St-Aimee Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club
  • Craig A. Western Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club

Keywords:

Butterfly Wings, Butterflies, Warning Colouration, Rhopalocera, Lepidoptera

Abstract

This brief report attempts to test the hypothesis that the colouration of butterfly wings is an indicator of palatability for predators. It, of course, begs two questions about palatability differences between humans and predators and the butterfly tasting population in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Published

2002-12-31

Issue

Section

Research Papers