The Life Cycle of<i>Mesosemia mevania</i>(Hewitson 1857) (Riodinidae) in a Lower Montane Humid Forest in Colombia

Vélez-Arango, Ana M; Duque, Patricia; Wolff, Marta

doi:10.18473/lepi.v64i1.a3

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…In a broader view, the presence of long setae in T. thestias is similar to the pattern observed in non‐myrmecophilous riodinids (e.g. Callaghan, ; DeVries, ; Kaminski, ; Nishida, ; Vélez‐Arango, Vélez & Wolff, ). Conversely, the ant‐tended first instar of T. pieridoides has the body covered with short dendritic setae, larger and more numerous PCOs, and functional TNOs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Two ways to be a myrmecophilous butterfly: natural history and comparative immature-stage morphology of two species ofTheope(Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

Kaminski

Mota

Freitas

et al. 2013

Biol J Linn Soc Lond

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Symbiotic interactions between butterfly larvae and ants, termed myrmecophily, require a range of behavioural and morphological adaptations (ant‐organs). Here, using light and scanning electron microscopy, we describe the complete life cycle of two species of Theope (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) that have contrasting ways of life. Theope thestias larvae are facultatively tended by several ant species, whereas Theope pieridoides have obligate symbiotic interactions with Azteca ants that inhabit a myrmecophytic tree. Morphological differences associated with their different degrees of intimacy with tending ants are visible from hatching. In T. thestias, the untended first‐instar larva has elongated bifurcated setae and a few tiny perforated cupola organs (PCOs), whereas in T. pieridoides, the ant‐tended first instar has short dendritic setae, larger and more numerous PCOs, and functional tentacle nectary organs (TNOs). Throughout ontogeny, T. pieridoides always shows more conspicuous ant‐organs than T. thestias, with the exception of balloon setae, which are larger and more numerous in T. thestias. In addition, mature T. pieridoides larvae have an anterior set of ant‐organs, including a new type, here described and termed anterior glandular openings (AGOs). Based on the behavioural responses of ants in contact with these structures, a new interpretation for the mechanism whereby Theope larvae can manipulate the behaviour of their tending ants is proposed. Until now, three ecological syndromes can be defined among Theope species: (1) oligophagous larvae with facultative myrmecophily; (2) monophagous larvae with obligate myrmecophily; and (3) polyphagous larvae with obligate myrmecophily. These results suggest that differences in the degree of specificity in the ant–plant interactions may have an important role in the evolution of host‐plant use in Theope. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Two ways to be a myrmecophilous butterfly: natural history and comparative immature-stage morphology of two species ofTheope(Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

Kaminski

Mota

Freitas

et al. 2013

Biol J Linn Soc Lond

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The Natural History of Caterpillar-Ant Associations

Pierce

Dankowicz

2022

Fascinating Life Sciences

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The caterpillars of many Lepidoptera are neither attacked nor tended by ants but nevertheless appear to be obligately ant-associated and benefit from the enemy-free space created by ants. Obligate myrmecophiles that do not attract ants through stridulatory or chemical signaling are limited to habitats where ants are reliably present for other reasons, either among ant-attended hemipterans, on ant-plants, or around ant nests. Particularly in the tropics, obligate ant associates that passively coexist with ants are more diverse than previously recognized, including, for example, hundreds of African species in the lycaenid subfamily Poritiinae. Mutualists and parasites of ants have been reported in eleven families: Tineidae, Tortricidae, Cyclotornidae, Coleophoridae, Crambidae, Erebidae, Notodontidae, Hesperiidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, and Riodinidae. Altogether, myrmecophily has originated at least 30 times in Lepidoptera, and many groups may remain undiscovered. The butterfly families Lycaenidae and Riodinidae contain the vast majority of ant-associated species: larvae of at least 3841 (71%) of the ~5390 described Lycaenidae and 308 (20%) of the ~1562 described Riodinidae are known or inferred to be ant-associated, and both families possess specialized, convergently developed exocrine glands and stridulatory devices to communicate with ants. Many caterpillar-ant relationships previously characterized as mutualisms may actually be parasitic, as caterpillars can manipulate ants and ultimately exert a fitness cost. In the family Lycaenidae, highly specialized and obligate ant associations are found largely in the Old World tropics, Australia, and Southern Africa, where the stoichiometry of soil micronutrients, particularly sodium and phosphorus, climate, host plants, and geography may all selectively shape caterpillar-ant associations.

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DescripciÓn ExocoriÓnica de Detritivora barnesi1 con Algunas Comparaciones

Nieves-Uribe

Pozo

Trujano-Ortega

et al. 2019

Southwestern Entomologist

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The Life Cycle ofMesosemia mevania(Hewitson 1857) (Riodinidae) in a Lower Montane Humid Forest in Colombia

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

Two ways to be a myrmecophilous butterfly: natural history and comparative immature-stage morphology of two species ofTheope(Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

Two ways to be a myrmecophilous butterfly: natural history and comparative immature-stage morphology of two species ofTheope(Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

The Natural History of Caterpillar-Ant Associations

DescripciÓn ExocoriÓnica de Detritivora barnesi1 con Algunas Comparaciones

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