Ayres Abstracts Ayres Abstracts Lederhouse, R. C., M. P. Ayres, and J. M. Scriber. Physiological and behavioral adaptations to variable thermal environments in North American Swallowtail butterflies. Pages 71-82 in Scriber, J. M., Y. Tsubaki, and R. C. Lederhouse, editors.
Environmental temperature affects swallowtail butterflies in myriad ways.
By focusing on species that range from subtropical to arctic communities, we highlight a variety of thermal constraints and swallowtail adaptations to them. Alaskan Papilio canadensis caterpillars are capable of more rapid growth and molting at low temperatures than caterpillars from a Michigan population. Sunward exposures allow P. glaucus caterpillars to develop faster in thermally marginal areas. Although they cannot survive freezing like their Alaskan congener, P. machaon , even this modest change can enhance survival under field conditions. As a group, they warm by basking in the sun with wings spread and oriented to intercept the maximum radiation.