INCREASE IN REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT AS EXPLAINED BY BODY SIZE AND RESOURCE-ALLOCATION IN THE SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY, PARARGE-AEGERIA (L)

Heavy females have a higher proportion of both their total C and total N allocated to the abdomen compared to light females. Males allocate differently, with smaller amounts of resources allocated to the abdomen. Heavy males have a higher proportion of their total C allocated to the abdomen compared to light males, but abdominal N is unaffected by body size. Heavy females in this study have a proportionately higher lifetime fecundity compared to light females. Females deprived of sucrose during their oviposition period have a reduced lifetime fecundity, but the allometric pattern between fecundity and body size remains. Longevity among both males and females is influenced by sucrose feeding. Longevity is also influenced by body weight among unfed females. -from Authors