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Contrasting reactions of loggerhead shrikes to two types of chemically defended insect prey

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Abstract

Feeding tests with loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) showed this bird to acceptUtetheisa ornatrix, a moth (Arctiidae) protected by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, but to avoidLytta polita, a beetle (Meloidae) containing cantharidin.

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Paper no. 130 of the series Defense Mechanisms of Arthropods; no. 129 is T. Eisner and J. Meinwald,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:50–55, 1995.

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Yosef, R., Carrel, J.E. & Eisner, T. Contrasting reactions of loggerhead shrikes to two types of chemically defended insect prey. J Chem Ecol 22, 173–181 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055090

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055090

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