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INDUCTION AND AVERSION-LEARNING IN POLYPHAGOUS ARCTIID LARVAE (LEPIDOPTERA) IN AN ECOLOGICAL SETTING

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

V.G. Dethier
V.G. Dethier
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA01003
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Abstract

Induction and aversion-learning are two kinds of behavior modification that depend upon ingestion for their effect. Both have previously been demonstrated in laboratory experiments. The polyphagous, ground dwelling larvae of the arctiid Diacrisia virginica Fabr. have now been shown to experience these two kinds of behavior modification in the field under natural conditions. The adaptive value of aversion-learning is self-evident. The adaptive value of induction is obscure. Evidence is presented here showing that induction overcomes hierarchical specificity before the level of deprivation becomes critical. As a consequence, plants low in the hierarchy of acceptability become fully rather than marginally acceptable, thus minimizing interruptions in feeding. Interruption is known to engender deleterious physiological responses.

Résumé

L’induction et le développement de l’aversion sont deux types de modifications comportementales dont la manifestation dépend de l’ingestion. Toutes deux ont été démontrées expérimentalement en laboratoire. On a maintenant démontré que les larves polyphages terricoles de l’arctiide Diacrisia virginica Fabr. sont sujettes à ces deux types de modifications comportementales sur le terrain en conditions naturelles. La valeur adaptative du développement de l’aversion est évident. La valeur adaptative de l’induction est obscure. On rapporte ici des faits qui montrent que l’induction peut modifier la hiérarchie de spécificité avant que la privation n’atteigne un niveau critique. Par conséquent, des plantes qui se situent dans le bas de la hiérarchie de préférence peuvent devenir totalement plutôt que marginalement acceptables, minimisant ainsi les risques d’arrêt de l’alimentation. On sait que l’arrêt de l’alimentation peut engendrer des réactions physiologiques néfastes.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 120 , Issue 2 , February 1988 , pp. 125 - 131
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1988

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