ヒメアカタテハ翅色変化の数値による評価

抄録

This study was performed to objectively evaluate the changes in wing color of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui Linnaeus) by numerical expression of color using the three attributes of the Munsell color system (hue, value and chroma). The results suggested a relation between length of pupal stage and changes in wing color, with an increase in length of pupal stage associated increases in hue and decreases in value and chroma, with some regional differences in the wing. Marked decreases were seen in value and chroma of the underside of the hindwing, while minor changes were observed in hue in all regions of the wing, with no significant differences between males and females. Numerical evaluation of the wing color of field-captured butterflies using the Munsell color system indicated that the typical changes appearing in winter were decreases in value and chroma, with no marked changes in hue. The results showed that the Munsell color system was applicable for objective evaluation of changes in wing color of the painted lady butterfly, and it could allow rough estimation of the length of pupal stage of the butterfly.