Ultraviolet reflectance patterns have been used to systematically characterize closely related species of Lepidoptera, especially in the Papilionidae and Pieridae (Ghiradella, et al 1972, Silberglied & Taylor, 1973, Downey & Allyn, 1977). It has been noted that larvae of such species have different morphological characteristics and hostplant preferences. A survey of 15 species of the genus Junonia was completed and the results showed marked differences between the "wet" vs. "dry" season forms, often in both sexes and on both wing surfaces. SEM examination of the scale ultrastructure indicate that the u-v scales present are those characteristic of a thin film as opposed to an interference filter type present in the Pieridae and Morphidae. The possible ramifications of these studies are presented.
Species 1: Insecta Lepidoptera Junonia
Keywords: Systematics
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA