Observations on co-existing late-instar caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Shaw, Mark R; Otto, Helene

Observations on co-existing late-instar caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Shaw, Mark R

ORCID

Otto, Helene

Date published

October 2020

Abstract

Co-existence between late instar larvae of Anthocharis cardamines on multiple occupied Lunaria annua plants was monitored in a suburban Edinburgh garden and a stand-off between final instar larvae on Sisymbrium officinale in countryside near Leipzig was recorded photographically. Occupation of mauve-flowered Lunaria plants was significantly higher than white-flowered ones. The notion that the resting behaviour of final instar larva along the top of seed pods camouflages them is challenged. Although not part of that argument, a major predation event by Vespula vulgaris was seen on Lunaria.