Work

Predictors of Wing Attacks by Birds Across Australian Butterflies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Predation pressure is a key selective force that shapes anti-predatory traits in prey. The pressure exerted by predation can vary across biomes and different prey communities and depends on prey characteristics, such as prey size and sex. Here, the variation in predation pressure on Australian butterflies was assessed using wing damage caused by avian attacks in over 2310 individuals from five butterfly families. Temperate butterflies were less likely to receive avian attacks compared to subtropical and tropical butterflies. Male butterflies were predicted to suffer more avian attacks than females; however, our results indicated that females were more at risk. We did not find evidence of butterfly size influencing the attack likelihood. According to the regression model, Nymphalids (Browns) were more likely to receive avian attacks than Hesperiids (Skippers). The results provide interesting insights into predator-prey interactions and the factors that impact the risk of predation.

Source: Ecology and Evolution

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.72596

Authors: Hansani S. S. Daluwatta Galappaththige, Donald James McLean, Liisa Hämäläinen, Chathuranga Dharmarathne, Marie E. Herberstein

Institutions: Macquarie University, University of Jyväskylä, Universität Hamburg, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change

Language: English

Topic: Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,570

Funders: Macquarie University, Australian Research Council