Induced food preferences in caterpillars: the need to identify mechanisms

Abstract

Abstract This review discusses the ambiguity of results obtained from dual‐choice feeding tests, especially in relation to the study of effects of experience. Induced preference experiments done this way can be caused by up to nine potential changes in caterpillar behavior. In addition different physiological mechanisms that could lead to the process of induced preference are discussed. These include habituation to deterrents, the increased ability to process xenobiotics, the acquisition of specific positive responses, sensitization, and associative learning. These different processes might relate to function in different ways so that distinguishing them is important to progress in understanding the phenomenon. Suggestions for experimental designs that provide details on processes involved are indicated.