Effects of food stress and density in different life stages on reproduction in a butterfly

Bauerfeind, Stephanie S.; Fischer, Klaus

doi:10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13888.x

Cited by 164Animal Behavior and ReproductionInsect-Plant Interactions and ControlPhysiological and biochemical adaptations

Effects of food stress and density in different life stages on reproduction in a butterfly

Bauerfeind, Stephanie S., Fischer, Klaus·2005·Oikos

DOI 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13888.x

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Abstract

Availability of adequate nutrition and (rearing) density are among the most important factors affecting growth, development and reproduction in animals. In holometabolous insects diets and energetic needs change between life stages, with storing of larval resources, adult feeding and reproduction being linked strategies. Nevertheless, studies investigating nutritional (and density) effects across metamorphic boundaries are largely lacking. We aim at disentangling the functional basis of reproductive patterns by independently manipulating larval and adult (1) density and (2) access to food, respectively, in the tropical butterfly, Bicyclus anynana . (1) A high larval rearing density had, contrary to common wisdom, very little impact on body size, but reduced larval development time through increased growth rates. The latter is thought to be an adaptation to high densities, driven by the risk of larval food resources becoming exhausted before reaching metamorphosis. Larval density and male company during oviposition (i.e. adult density) had no detectable effects on female reproduction. (2) Larval food stress prolonged larval development time and reduced larval growth rate, body size, fecundity and reproductive investment. Detrimental effects on female reproduction were mediated through a reduction in body size. Additional negative effects of adult food stress on fecundity were largely confined to females being fed as larvae ad libitum, while those being previously starved showed reduced performance regardless of adult income. Effects on egg size were inconsistent and, overall, marginal. Our results show that restricted food access in different developmental stages may set different limits to reproduction, either posed by shortage of larval‐derived storage reserves (i.e. nitrogenous compounds) or adult income (i.e. carbohydrates). Thus, one should be cautious when stating that one or the other type of nutrients is ultimately limiting to reproduction. Rather, our findings highlight the importance of resource congruence and of considering both, larval‐ and adult‐derived resources for reproduction.

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Authors: Bauerfeind, S. S., & Fischer, K.
Affiliations: University of Bayreuth (DE)
ORCID: Fischer, Klaus
Venue: Oikos
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2005-11-16
Volume: 111
Issue: 3
Pages: 514-524
ISSN: 0030-1299 (ISSN-L)
1600-0706
DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13888.x
OpenAlex: W2085646479
Cited by: 164
References: 62
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 7
FWCI: 6.79
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Oikos (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Keywords: Bicyclus anynana, nutritional stress, larval rearing density, adult density, female fecundity, body size, larval development time, larval growth rate, egg size, adult nutrition, metamorphosis, reproductive investment, tropical butterflies

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Effects of food stress and density in different life stages on reproduction in a butterfly

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