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Palatability dynamics of cardenolides in the monarch butterfly

Nature volume 249, pages 280–283 (1974)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 01 July 1974

This article has been updated

Abstract

THE adaptive strategy of sequestering cardiac glycosides from milkweed plants (Asclepiadaceae and Apocynaceae) has evolved in several taxa of insects1. Since these cardenolides elicit vomiting following ingestion, birds learn to avoid the insects on sight after one or more emetic experiences2. By a specific assay, we found a spectrum of cardenolide concentrations in adult monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus L., Danainae) collected during the autumnal migration from four areas in eastern North America3. In this communication we compare Atlantic with Pacific Coast monarch populations and explore quantitative relationships between cardenolide concentrations and palatability spectra. The latter were measured by our blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata bromia Oberholser, Corvidae) emetic dose fifty (ED50) test4.

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Change history

  • 01 July 1974

    In the article, "Palatability dynamics of cardenolides in the monarch butterfly" by L. P. Brower (Nature, 249, 280; 1974) Table 2 contained several errors and the following corrections should be made: California butterflies, line one, number of birds should read 9{; line eight, absorbance range of subsample should read 0.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Laboratory Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01002

    L. P. BROWER & C. M. MOFFITT

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  1. L. P. BROWER
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  2. C. M. MOFFITT
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BROWER, L., MOFFITT, C. Palatability dynamics of cardenolides in the monarch butterfly. Nature 249, 280–283 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249280b0

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