Proportion of wing deformities by taxon?
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2024 1:57 pm
I spread a pair of Speyeria Cybele from PA yesterday and was chagrinned that the female's wings are deformed- waffled, not fully expanded, etc. I'm not talking about different colors or patterns in the wings, but in the shape and expansion in the wings.
I do not know the cause of deformities- are they genetic, from eclosion difficulties, or inability to fully expand wings upon eclosion?
In any event, it seems that wing deformities are more common in some taxa/ taxon. I see minor deformities fairly regularly in wild Antheraea polyphemus; missshapened FW in Papilio, including MST but more commonly in polyxenes. But the highest rate of deformities seems to be in Speyeria.
I can't recall ever seen a Skipper with deformed wings.
Any insights?
I do not know the cause of deformities- are they genetic, from eclosion difficulties, or inability to fully expand wings upon eclosion?
In any event, it seems that wing deformities are more common in some taxa/ taxon. I see minor deformities fairly regularly in wild Antheraea polyphemus; missshapened FW in Papilio, including MST but more commonly in polyxenes. But the highest rate of deformities seems to be in Speyeria.
I can't recall ever seen a Skipper with deformed wings.
Any insights?