Host-Plant Selection by the Yellow Butterfly Larvae, Eurema hecabe mandarine (Lepidoptera : Pieridae) : Attractants and Arrestants

Abstract

Attractants and arrestants were recognized as playing an important part in host-plant selection by the yellow butterfly larvae, Eurema hecabe mandarina DE L'ORZA. The attractant for this insect was color, in contrast to odor for other lepidopterous larvae. The arrestant for the larvae was a mixture of chemical constituents in their host plant, Lespedeza cuneata G. CON, namely, D-pinitol, D-fructose, myo-inositoI, and probably cellulose.