Caterpillar Herbivores of Pentaclethra Macroloba in a Neotropical Rainforest: Growth Rates and Behavior
Erika Schwilk
Faculty Advisor: Beth Braker

     In the lowland rainforests of Costa Rica, caterpillars are one of the major herbivores that influence the growth and survival of the tree, Pentaclethra macroloba. To learn more about these herbivores, all caterpillars found on P. macroloba trees in the PLAGAS plots at Estacion Biologica La Selva were collected, identified, and reared. The caterpillars were collected from shade plots (trees grown in secondary growth forest) and sun plots (trees planted in abandoned pasture). Following the initial collections, two experiments were set up with the common caterpillar families: Pieridae, Riodinidae, and Geometridae. Caterpillars from the Pierid and Riodinid families were fed leaves from sun and shade plants to determine if leaves grown in the two different plots influenced the length of the caterpillar lifecycles. Behavioral observations were also conducted on caterpillars from the Geometridae family to determine the time of day these caterpillars commonly feed. The findings from this study will be used to further understand the relationship between this common rainforest tree and its herbivores.