Increase in Reproductive Effort as Explained by Body Size and Resource Allocation in the Speckled Wood Butterfly, Pararge aegeria (L.)

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Abstract
An investigation of resources allocated to soma vs reproductive reserves at adult eclosion in a satyrine butterfly Pararge aegeria (L.), reveals that heavy females have a higher proportion of both their total carbon and total nitrogen allocated to the abdomen compared to light females. Males allocate differently, with smaller amounts of resources allocated to the abdomen. As among females, heavy males have a higher proportion of their total carbon allocated to the abdomen compared to light males, but abdominal nitrogen is unaffected by body size. These resource allocation patterns are predicted to affect reproductive output, particularly in butterflies with insignificant adult intake of nitrogenous compounds. In accordance with this, heavy females in this study have a proportionately higher lifetime fecundity compared to light females. Females that were deprived of sucrose during their oviposition period have a reduced lifetime fecundity, but the allometric pattern between fecundity and body size remains. Longevity among both males and females is influenced by sucrose feeding. Longevity is also influenced by body weight among unfed females.

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