EGG DISPERSAL PATTERNS AND ADULT FEEDING BEHAVIOUR IN THE LEPIDOPTERA

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Abstract
The adults of many Lepidoptera augment carbohydrate and protein reserves accumulated during larval life by feeding on nectar or sap flows. However, the adults of other species have non-functional mouthparts. The feeding behaviour of the species in a particular family or subfamily tends to be stereotyped. Thus in some taxa nearly all of the species have functional mouthparts in the adult stage, while in other taxa the mouth-parts are aborted. In those taxa whose adults feed, eggs are nearly always laid singly or in pairs. By contrast a significant proportion of the species whose adults fail to feed lay their eggs in clusters. This shift in egg laying behaviour can be explained by recognizing that an increased proportion of the energy reserves stored during larval life can be directed towards egg production if females engage in limited flight.

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