Pollen Feeding and Reproductive Biology of <i>Heliconius</i> Butterflies

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Authors

Lawrence E. Gilbert · The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract

Butterflies of the neotropical Genus Heliconius feed on pollen. This is the first known instance in butterflies of a habit that is well known for other insects. The butterflies remove amino acids and proteins from pollen; this feeding innovation plays a role in the reproductive and population biology of these insects. It is suggested that other animals may use pollen in a similar fashion.

Topics & Keywords

Plant and animal studies Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

Publication Details

Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Volume 69, Issue 6, pp. 1403-1407

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.69.6.1403

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 12.31

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Pollen Feeding and Reproductive Biology of <i>Heliconius</i> Butterflies

Authors

Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details