Sudden appearance and population outbreak of Eunica monima (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico
Keywords:
Bursera simaruba, caterpillar–butterfly irruption, Eunica tatila, insect herbivory, Rattus rattus eradication, predator–prey interactionAbstract
Summary
We documented the appearance and elevated abundance of the uncommon dingy purplewing butterfly, Eunica monima (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), and pronounced herbivory on its host plant Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Burseraceae) shortly after island-wide rat (Rattus rattus [L.]; Muridae) removal from Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. We confirmed the species as E. monima by using both molecular and morphological analyses of larvae and adults. This is a first-time record of E. monima for the island of Desecheo, one of relatively few documented appearances in Puerto Rico during the last 100 yr, and an uncommon documentation of an outbreak of this species in the Caribbean. Although experimental manipulation would be needed to identify the cause of the E. monima population outbreak, we discuss possible cause-and-effect scenarios.
Sumario
Documentamos la aparición y elevada abundancia de la mariposa poco común Dingy Purplewing, Eunica monima (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), y la pronunciada herbivoría en su planta hospedera Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Burseraceae), poco después de una erradicación de ratas (Rattus rattus [L.]; Muridae) en la isla de Desecheo, Puerto Rico. Confirmamos la especie como E. monima mediante análisis tanto moleculares como morfológicos de las orugas y adultos. Este es el primer registro de E. monima para la isla de Desecheo, una de las relativamente pocas apariciones documentadas en Puerto Rico durante los últimos 100 años y también se documentó un brote poco común para esta especie en el Caribe. Aunque la manipulación experimental sería necesaria para identificar la causa del brote de E. monima, discutimos los posibles escenarios de causa y efecto.
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