Cardenolide content and palatability of a population of <i>Danaus chrysippus</i> butterflies from West Africa

Abstract

SYNOPSIS The variation in cardenolide content found in 50 individuals of Danaus chrysippus is related to the type of food plant and the sequestering efficiency of the butterfly. The toxicity of the insects to bird predators is discussed in relation to the polymorphism found in species of Danaus .