Abstract
Learning, a form of behavioural phenotypic plasticity, can have significant fitness benefits. In this chapter I discuss the evidence that insects can learn features of their hosts, and consider whether learned changes in behaviour are restricted to a single life history stage, or whether a learned behavioural change acquired in the preimaginal stages can influence imaginal behaviour. I then discuss which evolutionary scenarios promote learning over innate responses to hosts, and how learned changes in behaviour can interact with natural selection in the eVolution of host races.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Phenotypic plasticity of insects |
| Editors | Douglas W. Whitman, T.N Ananthakrishnan |
| Place of Publication | United States |
| Publisher | Science Publishers |
| Pages | 767-779 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781578084234 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |