File: <lepidopt.htm> [For teaching purposes only; do not review, quote or abstract] Terminology <Principal Natural Enemy Groups>

LEPIDOPTERA

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LEPIDOPTERA = Link 1, Link 2, Photos-1, Photos-2

Lepidoptera.-- Entomophagous behavior has developed in a large number of families of Lepidoptera, which has predominantly phytophagous species. Early summaries were presented by Brues (1936), who also discussed the manner by which the change from plant to animal feeding probably occurred. Balduf (1931) reviewed information relating to predatory and parasitic species and later (Balduf 1938) gave an interesting account of the probable origin and rise of the entomophagous habit among lepidopterous larvae. Entomophagous Lepidoptera are thought to be derived mainly from ancestors that fed on the plant cortex and lichens. Entomophagy in this order is manifested in several ways, by cannibalism, occasional predation, habitual predation and parasitism. Cannibalism is an occasional diversion from the normal plant-feeding habit which results mainly from hunger of thirst. Occasional predation occurs in two forms, (1) that found among caterpillars of plant-feeding behavior, which sometimes attack insects beyond their own species, and (2) among scavengers, which may prey on other species occupying the same habitat. Two forms of habitual predators are, (1) several families with larvae that feed on Homoptera, and (2) a few species of Lycaenidae which is phytophagous in early larval instars, but later changes to predation.

Among butterflies, predators are found only in the Lycaenidae, while among moths it occurs in a large number of families and varies in extent of its development from occasional or chance predation to obligatory predation. The highest development of entomophagous behavior is found in Epipyropidae, some species being obligate external parasitoids, and individuals of all species being limited to a single host during larval development. True parasitism by members of other families is rare to find (Clausen 1940/1962).

The great majority of the hosts of predaceous Lepidoptera are in the Homoptera: Aphididae, Cicadellidae, Fulgoridae and Coccidae. Balduf considered that limitation to these groups was a result of their greater availability as compared with other phytophagous insects. They occur generally in all sections and upon a wide variety of plants, and are frequently present in abundance, and are soft in body and small.

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