The majority of herbivorous insects are specialists, feeding on a limited number of host plants. Host shifts to novel plant species have contributed substantially to current patterns of association between insects and plants by influencing the diversification and speciation of plant-feeding insects. Herbivorous insects that are able to shift to new host plants are predicted to be better able to respond to global warming as their ranges shift; it is therefore important that we understand the mechanisms by which host shifts happen.
Relevant Publications
Murphy, S. M. 2008. Notes on Papilio machaon aliaska (Papilionidae) populations near Fairbanks, AK. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 62(2): 80-83.
Murphy, S. M. 2007b. Inconsistent use of host plants by the Alaskan swallowtail butterfly: Adult preference experiments suggest labile oviposition strategy. Ecological Entomology 32: 143-152.
Murphy, S. M. 2007a. The effect of host plant on larval survivorship of the Alaskan swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon aliaska). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 122: 109-115.
Murphy, S. M. and P. P. Feeny. 2006. Chemical facilitation of a naturally-occurring host shift by Papilio machaon butterflies(Papilionidae). Ecological Monographs 76(3): 399-414.
Murphy, S. M. 2004. Enemy-free space maintains swallowtail butterfly host shift. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101(52): 18048-18052.
Relevant Publications
Murphy, S. M. 2008. Notes on Papilio machaon aliaska (Papilionidae) populations near Fairbanks, AK. Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 62(2): 80-83.
Murphy, S. M. 2007b. Inconsistent use of host plants by the Alaskan swallowtail butterfly: Adult preference experiments suggest labile oviposition strategy. Ecological Entomology 32: 143-152.
Murphy, S. M. 2007a. The effect of host plant on larval survivorship of the Alaskan swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon aliaska). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 122: 109-115.
Murphy, S. M. and P. P. Feeny. 2006. Chemical facilitation of a naturally-occurring host shift by Papilio machaon butterflies(Papilionidae). Ecological Monographs 76(3): 399-414.
Murphy, S. M. 2004. Enemy-free space maintains swallowtail butterfly host shift. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 101(52): 18048-18052.