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GRADED LEVELS OF CHEMICAL DEFENCE IN MIMICS OF LYCID BEETLES OF THE GENUS METMORRHYNCHUS (COLEOPTERA)

1989; Wiley; Volume: 28; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1440-6055.1989.tb00889.x

1440-6055

B. P. Moore, W. V. Brown,

Forest Insect Ecology and Management

Abstract Twelve of the principal coleopteran mimics of the highly chemically protected lycid Metriorrhynchus rhipidius (Macleay) were screened for the presence of chemical repellents. These mimics showed varying responses and formed a graded series ranging from those with full chemical protection at all levels (odour, taste and toxicity) and thus fully comparable with the model, through intermediates protected at some levels, to others without any evident chemical defences and apparently dependent entirely upon protective visual resemblance to the model. The bearing of these findings on the evolution and classification of mimics is discussed.