Cryptic Moths: Effects on Background Selections of Painting the Circumocular Scales
- 5 January 1968
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 159 (3810), 100-101
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.159.3810.100
Abstract
A dark moth (Catocala antinympha) and a light moth (Campaea perlata) rested on appropriate backgrounds in an experimental apparatus allowing a choice between black and white backgrounds. The selections remained unchanged when the circumocular scales of the moths were painted either black or white. These results suggest that selections of background by cryptic moths, with respect to background reflectance, are genetically fixed. Background selections by melanic forms in various species are interpreted in the light of this conclusion.This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- Background Selections of Geometrid and Noctuid MothsScience, 1966
- A survey of the frequencies of Biston betularia (L.) (Lep.) and its melanic forms in Great BritainHeredity, 1958
- Recognition of Appropriate Backgrounds by the Pale and Black Phases of LepidopteraNature, 1955
- V. Conspicuous Effects on the markings and colouring of Lepidoptera caused by exposure of the pupœ to different temperature conditionsEcological Entomology, 1891
- IV. Systematic temperature experiments on some Lepidoptera in all their stages.Ecological Entomology, 1890