SEASONALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED POLYPHENISM IN <i>EUREMA LAETA LINEATA</i> (LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE)

Abstract

Abstract Eurema sana (Butler) appears to be a seasonal morph of E. laeta lineata (Miskin): offspring with the “ sana ” phenotype were produced from “ laeta ” mothers by rearing the offspring at high temperatures and long photoperiods. The “ laeta ” morphs produced by rearing at lower temperatures and or a shorter photoperiod did not show the full range of underwing colour seen in field‐caught “ laeia ”. Field collections over 15 months in Townsville showed that the “ sana ” morph predominated from midsummer to mid‐autumn, the switch to “ laeta ” occurring in April‐May.