Novel host plant use by a specialist insect depends on geographic variation in both the host and herbivore species.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the circumstances under which insect herbivores will adopt a novel host plant is a longstanding question in basic and applied ecology. While geographic variation in host use can arise through differences in both herbivore preference and plant characteristics, there is a tendency to attribute geographic variation in host use to regional differences in herbivore preference alone. This is especially true for herbivores specialized to one or a few plant species. We compared how geographic variation in herbivore preference and host plant origin shape regional differences in host plant use by the specialized herbivore, Euphydryas phaeton. In parts of its range, E. phaeton uses only a native host, Chelone glabra, while in others, it also uses an introduced host, Plantago lanceolata.

SUBMITTER: Michielini JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10830605 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature