Within-season variability of pupal period in the autumnal moth: A bet-hedging strategy?

: Tammaru T, Ruohomaki K, Saloniemi I

Publisher: ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER

: 1999

: Ecology

: ECOLOGY

: 80

: 5

: 1666

: 1677

: 12

: 0012-9658

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/176555

We assumed that seasonal changes in night temperatures and predation rate determine the optimal timing of adult flight period in E. autumnata. Results of modeling suggested that there are apparently hat fitness profiles in relation to eclosion date, which is the probable reason for maintenance of high genetic diversity in pupal period. Unpredictable temperature during adult flight period has a potential to select for high variance in eclosion dates, although the selective pressure appears to be weak. Genetic variance in variance of pupal period may thus be largely selectively neutral in the studied system.