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<p>In this study we describe a previously unknown prey-handling strategy of Lepidoptera larvae employed by black-and-white monjita (<i>Heteroxolmis dominicana</i>), a grassland insectivore belonging to the Tyrannidae family, which includes species with extensive diversity in feeding habits and prey-handling strategies. During the observation of a Lepidoptera larva capture and manipulation event, <i>H. dominicana</i> employed a strategy to avoid ingesting urticating setae by dragging the larva along the ground on a gravel substrate, consuming it only after the setae had been completely removed. Urticating hairs and setae are common in Lepidoptera larvae, serving as a defense mechanism against predators. However, some bird species have developed specific strategies to feed on these larvae, which are a rich protein source. Reports of birds consuming larvae with urticating setae are scarce in the literature. The setae-removal behavior observed in <i>H. dominicana</i> is likely related to the irritation these structures can cause to the bird’s gastroesophageal mucosa if not removed. This behavior exemplifies a coevolutionary strategy to exploit a challenging resource, potentially associated with temporal and spatial variations in prey availability for birds.</p>

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A preliminary report on the feeding strategy employed by Heteroxolmis dominicana (Vieillot, 1823) to avoid ingesting urticating setae present in lepidoptera larvae

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月7日

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  • Lucilene Inês Jacoboski,
  • Filipe Augusto Pasa Bernardi,
  • Juliana Lopes da Silva,
  • Andrei Langeloh Roos

摘要

In this study we describe a previously unknown prey-handling strategy of Lepidoptera larvae employed by black-and-white monjita (Heteroxolmis dominicana), a grassland insectivore belonging to the Tyrannidae family, which includes species with extensive diversity in feeding habits and prey-handling strategies. During the observation of a Lepidoptera larva capture and manipulation event, H. dominicana employed a strategy to avoid ingesting urticating setae by dragging the larva along the ground on a gravel substrate, consuming it only after the setae had been completely removed. Urticating hairs and setae are common in Lepidoptera larvae, serving as a defense mechanism against predators. However, some bird species have developed specific strategies to feed on these larvae, which are a rich protein source. Reports of birds consuming larvae with urticating setae are scarce in the literature. The setae-removal behavior observed in H. dominicana is likely related to the irritation these structures can cause to the bird’s gastroesophageal mucosa if not removed. This behavior exemplifies a coevolutionary strategy to exploit a challenging resource, potentially associated with temporal and spatial variations in prey availability for birds.