Insects as Selective Agents on Plant Vegetative Morphology: Egg Mimicry Reduces Egg Laying by Butterflies

• DOI: 10.1126/science.212.4493.467
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T17:45:58Z
• Authors: Kathy S. Williams; Lawrence E. Gilbert
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

Experiments show that Heliconius butterflies are less likely to oviposit on host plants that possess eggs or egglike plant structures. These egg mimics are an unambiguous example of a plant trait evolved in response to a host-restricted group of insect herbivores.