| Author | Wardle, A.R. |
| Year | 1990 |
| Title | Learning of host microhabitat colour by Exeristes roborator (F.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) |
| Type | Paper |
| Source | Animal Behaviour Vol 39 (5): 914-923. |
| Illustrations | |
| Review (by Malcolm Storey) | "Exeristes roborator (F.), learned the colour (wavelength), but not the brightness (intensity), of light reflected by artificial host microhabitats in the laboratory. Females given hosts in a microhabitat of only one colour subsequently preferred to contact and perform host-seeking behaviour on it when offered a choice between it and a microhabitat of another colour. Control insects did not exhibit this preference. Colour learning influenced females’ responses whether or not hosts were present in the microhabitats. However, it did not altogether prevent females from finding hosts in microhabitats of colours that they had not learned. In nature, learning of host microhabitat colour may allow E. roborator to identify plant material that experience has taught it is a profitable resource." |
| Notes & Purpose | Status | Taxon | English | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For identification | Current | Exeristes roborator | a pimpline ichneumon | Animalia: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae |
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