Unpalatability and toxicity of an introduced species (cinnabar moth larvae) to native predators

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Formanowicz, Daniel R., Jr.; Brodie, Edmund D., Jr.

Source:

American Midland Naturalist, University of Notre Dame Press, Volume 113, Issue 2, p.401-403 (1985)

Call Number:

A85FOR01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2425589

Keywords:

Blarina brevicauda, Deer Mouse, deermouse, Elgaria coerulea, Northern Alligator Lizard, northern short-tailed shrew, Peromyscus maniculatus, Sceloporus occidentalis, western fence lizard

Abstract:

The acceptability of an introduced species of prey, cinnabar moth caterpillars (Tyria jacobaeae), to three species of sympatric predators and one allopatric predator was examined. These caterpillars were toxic to three [northern] alligator lizards tested, completely avoided by [northern] short-tailed shrews, and avoided after one contact by deermice [deer mice] and western fence lizards. These results suggest that some predators learn to avoid toxic caterpillars but that this toxic-introduced species may have a negative impact on populations of other predators.