A reversible color polyphenism in American peppered moth (Biston betularia cognataria) caterpillars.

ABSTRACT: Insect body color polyphenisms enhance survival by producing crypsis in diverse backgrounds. While color polyphenisms are often indirectly induced by temperature, rearing density, or diet, insects can benefit from immediate crypsis if they evolve polyphenisms directly induced by exposure to the background color, hence immediately deriving protection from predation. Here, we examine such a directly induced color polyphenism in caterpillars of the geometrid peppered moth (Biston betularia). This larval color polyphenism is unrelated to the genetic polymorphism for melanic phenotypes in adult moths. B. betularia caterpillars are generalist feeders and develop body colors that closely match the brown or green twigs of their host plant. We expand on previous studies examining the proximal cues

SUBMITTER: Noor MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2518955 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature