ABSENCE OF BEHAVIORAL INDUCTION IN OVIPOSITION PREFERENCE OF PAPILIO-GLAUCUS (LEPIDOPTERA, PAPILIONIDAE)

This study addressed the possible behavioral induction effects of prev ious exposure to several specific host plants on subsequent host ''pre ference hierarchy'' and 'specificity'' (i.e.. how far down the ranking order a female will go) in the most polyphagous swallowtail butterfly in the world, Papilio glaucus (Papilionidae). Multi-choice preference bioassays using individual females in revolving arenas were used to a ssess one of the potentially most significant non-genetic sources of v ariation: learned (or induced) oviposition preferences. Results of the 4-choice studies using tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera; Magnoliac eae), black cherry (Prunus serotina; Rosaceae), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides; Salicaceae), and hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata; Rutaceae), fail to show any significant oviposition preference induction with two -day prior exposure to any of the host species tested. It appears that the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly, while polyphagous as a speci es (feeding on more than 9 families of plants), and variable in its po pulation responses to oviposition favorites, has what may be considere d a genetic ''hard-wiring'' at an individual level, with no evidence t hat preferences change with recent oviposition experience. Older femal es were not and did not become more random in their choices, and in fa ct increased in their specificity for tulip tree leaves.