a leaf eating caterpillar turns into a nectar eating butterfly. how is this feeding behavior an advantage for this species?
2007-03-07 17:06:55 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
hm....
maybe this behaviour turned directlu in coocoon phase.
nectars contains fructose which might be more essential for butterflies. Otherwise, caterpillar needs some compounds which only existed in leaves.
2007-03-07 17:18:40 · answer #1 · answered by Papilio paris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the leaves are from a flowering plant, the nectar eating habits of the butterfly help pollinate and therefore propagate the plant species that it and it's young (as caterpillars) eat.
2007-03-08 02:14:54 · answer #2 · answered by BP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the leaf provides nutrient for the caterpillar while not killing the plan. the plant maturates producing blossoms which produce nectar for the butterfly while germinating the plant.
2007-03-08 01:30:49 · answer #3 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well a caterpillar cannot mate, a butterfly can ( I think).
2007-03-08 01:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by Joshu@ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The adults and the babies don't compete for the same food.
2007-03-08 01:13:59 · answer #5 · answered by Pseudo Obscure 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maturation differs feeding requirements
2007-03-08 01:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋