Compensatory-feeding

Guides

• Samea multiplicalis

  salvinia stem-borer moth

  Samea multiplicalis is an aquatic moth native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States to Argentina, and introduced to Australia in 1981 as a biological control agent for invasive water ferns. Adults are small, tan moths with darker wing markings and a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species completes its entire life cycle on or near aquatic host plants, with larvae feeding internally on stems and externally on leaves, often causing plant death. High rates of parasitism by native wasps and flies limit its effectiveness as a weed control agent in introduced ranges.

  aquatic-mothbiological-controlherbivoreinvasive-species-managementparasitismcompensatory-feedingnocturnal-ovipositionsilk-canopy-constructionnitrogen-limited-herbivoreCrambidaePyraloideafloating-aquatic-vegetationintegrated-weed-managementQueenslandNew-South-WalesLouisianaBrazilArgentina

• Speyeria mormonia mormonia

  Mormon Fritillary

  Speyeria mormonia mormonia is a montane butterfly subspecies found in western North America. Research indicates adults exhibit compensatory feeding behavior to offset energy costs of increased flight activity. Females demonstrate higher early-life fecundity under conditions of abundant food resources, with metabolic rates declining with age. The subspecies shows sexual dimorphism in demographic parameters including survival patterns correlated with weather conditions.

  montane-butterflynectar-feederviola-hostcompensatory-feedingmetabolic-senescencewestern-North-America